On the recordMarch 2, 2010
I want to clear up the record. That is not the case at all. As far as I am concerned, Senator Bunning can have his vote. He can have his vote on his pay-for. The point is, does Senator Bunning want an assurance that he has enough votes from the Democratic side so that his vote passes? Well, of course not. We vote here; that is what the Senate is for. Those in favor vote aye; those not in favor vote no. That is the democratic process. That is the process most Americans understand. So if he wants his vote, he can ask for it and he can have that vote. I will not prejudge whether he will win or lose. As far as this Senator is concerned, he can have that vote. My expectation would be after that vote is concluded one way or another we can vote on the underlying 30-day amendment so we can finally get people their unemployment checks that are due, their COBRA benefits, and their health premium subsidies that are due. Finally, we can enable doctors to be paid so they can see Medicare patients. This is a very simple solution. We can just vote. If Senator Bunning wants to vote, I say: Fine, let's vote.
