Byron Dorgan: “first of all, I listened to the remarks of my colleague from Utah and thought they were interesting remarks, on point…”

“first of all, I listened to the remarks of my colleague from Utah and thought they were interesting remarks, on point, and I appreciate them. I have heard some comments from colleagues this morning who are repeating things we have heard previously in this Senate Chamber. I want to comment about a couple of them and then talk about a vote that is occurring in the other body late this week and on which we expect to vote in the Senate at some point. It is a vote on something called fast-track trade authority. We had some discussion earlier today in the Senate about, the stimulus package referring, of course, to the package of legislation that would try to provide some lift to this country's economy. The question was asked: Where is the stimulus bill? The answer is very simple. The piece of legislation designed to try to stimulate this economy was brought to the floor of the Senate, and then the Republicans decided to make a point of order against it, which they did, and they took it from Senate consideration. A point of order exists against the bill that Senator Daschle brought to the floor of the Senate. It would exist against the Republican bill. A point of order would also exist against the bill written by the House of Representatives. A point of order exists against all of the bills designed to try to stimulate this country's economy. But the point of order was made against the bill that was brought to the floor by Senator Daschle.”