Trent Lott: “I will say to the distinguished Senator that it is my intent to urge early consideration of the issues that came to the…”

“I will say to the distinguished Senator that it is my intent to urge early consideration of the issues that came to the forefront during the campaign and the election last year. I have asked the Governmental Affairs Committee to be the only committee to take a look at some of the alleged violations that occurred--perhaps some illegalities even, in terms of contributions during the campaign--to see if there is anything there that will justify proceeding further. I am not prejudging that at all. I also have had an early conversation with the chairman of the Rules Committee and have asked him to have some early hearings--and these are not intended to be dilatory at all--hearings to get into, seriously, what happened, what needs to be done, to see if we can find a way that we can come to an agreement on a bill that can pass the Senate, one that will not be filibustered by the Democrats or by the Republicans. Clearly, we have some disagreements on what the solutions are, but I fear that if we try to put a specific date on it, it will make the likelihood of our success less likely or more difficult. I think that the Senate should proceed always with thought and thoroughness and try to see where we can come together. We can establish right here right now what we can't agree on. The question is what can we agree on. So we are intent on working on that. The various committees have some things they are going to have to work on.”