Trent Lott: “very briefly, I rise in support of this amendment. I think the misuse of the hold in the Senate has become a fundamental…”

“very briefly, I rise in support of this amendment. I think the misuse of the hold in the Senate has become a fundamental problem. I do not see how anybody could support the concept of secret holds. Now, this may drive holds into some other category, but I think it is a step in the right direction. I commend Senator Wyden and Senator Grassley for offering it. This proposal is an experiment in making the Senate and Senators more accountable to their colleagues and to the American people. This proposal addresses the issue of anonymous holds that Senators use to prevent consideration of legislation and nominations. This amendment would place a greater responsibility on Senators to make their holds public. It requires that the majority and minority leaders can only recognize a hold that is provided in writing. Moreover, for the hold to be honored, the Senator objecting would have to publish his objection in the Congressional Record, 3 days after the notice is provided to a leader. I believe that holds, whether anonymous or publicly announced, are an affront to the Senate, the leadership, the committees, and to the individual Members of this institution. This amendment does not eliminate the right of a Senator to place a hold. Some day, the Senate may decide that holds, in and of themselves, are an undemocratic practice that should no longer be recognized. Secret holds have no place in a publicly accountable institution.…”