Pete Domenici: “I remind the Senate how important this Missouri River issue is and was. First of all, I am very grateful to hear that it…”

“I remind the Senate how important this Missouri River issue is and was. First of all, I am very grateful to hear that it is going to get resolved, which I understand to be the case. I haven't seen the language yet, but obviously there are very good Senators who have a more genuine interest than this Senator. So it will be right. But last year, believe it or not, this entire bill that we are talking about was put at risk because Senator Bond sought to protect the river. An amendment passed, which I supported, that made the entire energy and water bill subject to that amendment with reference to not moving ahead too fast with the new ideas. It had a veto threat with it. Believe it or not, since 1979, I think is the case, energy and water types of appropriations bills had never been vetoed. So we put at risk all the things that are needed in this bill and said we would take it. If the President vetoes it, we will find a way to pass the bill one way or another. The reason I state that is because, obviously, the issue is a very important one. It brought down this entire energy and water appropriations bill. Incidentally, we found a way to fix it. It became an issue. I am hopeful that today it remains an issue, and that, with this amendment which has been spoken to and about by those who are Missouri River affected, we will end up with something that is really an achievement.”