Trent Lott: “originally I had thought that at this point the Senate would grant a unanimous consent that would in effect make null…”

“originally I had thought that at this point the Senate would grant a unanimous consent that would in effect make null and void the precedent set in March of 1995 with respect to legislation on an appropriations bill. Having spoken with the Democratic leader, we both feel, now, that the Senate would be better served by conducting a rollcall vote that would overturn the precedent. Needless to say, this vote would occur at the first opportunity the Senate has during the appropriations process this year, at least we think that would be the appropriate time for it to occur. The Democratic leader has indicated to me that he would support such an action in the early summer of this year as we begin the appropriations process, and I look forward to his cooperation at that time, when we have the vote which would reinstate the point of order with respect to legislation on an appropriations bill. I believe, and I think the Democratic leader would agree, that the process has been abused in recent months.”