James M. Jeffords: “Before I complete my remarks, I want to refresh people where we are, especially on the critical issues that have been…”

“Before I complete my remarks, I want to refresh people where we are, especially on the critical issues that have been raised by the Senator from Massachusetts. I understand there are concerned people, and I am well aware of editorials and groups who have raised issues, most of which I have found not to be relevant to the bill which we are considering. Many of those problems were related to last year's bill and we are assured the whole country has available to them the bill before us here by having it on Web pages and all. I am hopeful those groups who have expressed their deep concerns will review the legislation that is before the Senate and not make conclusions or alarm the public based upon provisions which were in the bill which did appear before this body last year but of course were not voted on. First, I remind everyone we voted 89-5 to proceed on this legislation.”