Tina Smith: “I thank Senator Chafee for making that point. He is correct. This is not a partisan issue. It is a carefully crafted…”

“I thank Senator Chafee for making that point. He is correct. This is not a partisan issue. It is a carefully crafted compromise to try to accommodate some genuine concerns out there among many individuals. Again, in the Senate, controlled by the Democratic Party last session, it was passed unanimously. The Republicans are now under control, and we are offering the same language again on interstate transfer. There is not any reason why we should have a huge fight here, unless people, for whatever reason, are trying to capitalize on something or take unfair advantage. We felt it was fair and we continue to feel that now. Senator Chafee and I are in agreement on that, and I know there will be Senators from both the importing and exporting States that will try to weaken or strengthen, depending on their position, the interstate portions of this bill. The bill is in two sections--both interstate as well as flow control. There are two sections to the bill. My response is, we struck this compromise last year, all parties agreed, and there have been no significant changes. What would be the fight? Let me move to the issue of flow control, because we have heard statements from a variety of individuals before our committee, very prominent individuals. Senator Bill Cohen, Governor Christine Whitman of New Jersey and others, Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, who asked Members to move quickly to address the issue of flow control. And we did.”