Judd Gregg: “I guess I would ask the inversion of that question which is why not do it now? The amendment has been pending. It has…”

“I guess I would ask the inversion of that question which is why not do it now? The amendment has been pending. It has been debated. People are fairly sophisticated about this amendment since it has been an issue that has been around here for awhile. I think it could be easily moved forward and discussed and voted on in a very prompt way. But independent of that, the reason why I think we should proceed is, I can't imagine bringing the bill down over an amendment like this which is not a partisan amendment. It has always been bipartisan and it has substance to it. It would seem appropriate. But independent of that, as you know, the ability to amend this vehicle gives me a vehicle with this amendment which, first off, the amendment is relevant. It may not be germane, but it is certainly relevant, considering the fact that it deals primarily with earmarks. But it gives me a vehicle with which to go to conference, and I want to at least get this thing to conference.”