Max Baucus: “I begin by first thanking my good friend from Alaska for bringing this up as a freestanding bill. One of the objections…”

“I begin by first thanking my good friend from Alaska for bringing this up as a freestanding bill. One of the objections I had earlier with some of the riders in the Interior appropriations bill first on the merits of those provisions of the bill which I think in many cases were ill-advised. A second objection I had to the riders were just that, they were riders on an appropriations bill; that is, measures which have very significant public policy implications and very significantly affect our country, many of which had no hearings. It is true one or two may have had hearings, but, by and large, the riders did not have hearings. Here we are, taking them up and passing them without an adequate opportunity for debate. The American people, rightfully, get a little upset when Congress does not in the full light of day debate the pros and cons of issues, and fully air these issues. They don't like it when riders are slipped into an appropriations bill. I might add, there will be a lot more slipped in before this Congress adjourns in the next 10 days. I very much thank my good friend from Alaska for bringing this up as a freestanding bill. That is what we are supposed to be doing here, debating issues, what the pros might be, what the cons might be, and have a debate and see what makes sense and then vote.”