Trent Lott: “Let me say, Mr. President, I indicated to the Senator from Massachusetts that I think we have an agreement worked out in…”

“Let me say, Mr. President, I indicated to the Senator from Massachusetts that I think we have an agreement worked out in a fair way to handle his amendment with regard to minimum wage, but we are still having to work to see if we can get something agreed to on the bankruptcy reform bill. I understand that may take some considerable time yet, but Senator Grassley is working on it, as well as Senator Durbin and others who have been in contact with the White House. I think a good-faith effort is underway. If it can be worked out in 3 hours, that would be magnificent. We would have the vote on Senator Kennedy's amendment and we could go to the bankruptcy issue and have votes and get this issue completed. If we can't get the agreement worked out on bankruptcy reform, then we would have a cloture vote tomorrow as is scheduled, and we would go on to other issues. I am sure Senator Kennedy will then offer his amendment on something else. That is where we are now. Everybody is working in good faith. We will hope for the best. I yield the floor.”