Max Baucus: “it is quite clear, especially based upon the vote on the point of order yesterday where 76 Members of this body voted to…”

“it is quite clear, especially based upon the vote on the point of order yesterday where 76 Members of this body voted to waive that point of order indicating their support for this program, that there is not a lot of controversy remaining on this bill. There are important amendments, clearly, that will be offered by Members, but I believe all of us in this body know that this bill must be passed and must be passed quickly. It should be passed today, and it probably will be passed today, both because it is important and also to avoid the May 31 date when current law expires. Hopefully, we will get a conference that will bring back a conference report so we can pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk by that time. There is one point I wish to make, though. There is some concern that this bill is not fair to every State. We hear this in the committee. We who are managing this bill hear that statement often from a lot of Senators. I understand it. Every Senator is doing what he or she should do, and that is to fight for his or her State. I compliment those Senators. It is our job as managers of the bill and also our job as a body to do the very best we can to be as fair as possible to all concerned and get this legislation passed.…”