Byron Dorgan: “the Senator from New Mexico, chairman of the committee, has great passion for this legislation, as do I. I know that…”

“the Senator from New Mexico, chairman of the committee, has great passion for this legislation, as do I. I know that last evening I perhaps offended some in this Chamber by standing around here and objecting to everything for a while because last evening, at a time when I thought we should be on the Energy title, we were preparing to move this Senate to debate on a judgeship that didn't have to be debated. So I sat out here and objected to everything, and it upset people. I understand that. But I had the same goal that the Senator from New Mexico has. I thought we should be on the Energy bill and on the electricity title. I believe we ought to do that title. I would like us to start now and do that title. My colleague, Senator Cantwell from the State of Washington, sat here for 2 hours last night wanting to offer an amendment and go back to the electricity title of the Energy bill but couldn't because we were on a judgeship that we didn't have to do. We shouldn't have had to do that now. Let me make a comment. I think the way to approach this--I happen to have the same goal--is I believe we ought to go back to the electricity title right now. I would like to have amendments offered and debated. I am willing to stay here all night and get through the electricity title. I tell you how I think we should best do that. I think we should vitiate the motion to recommit the Kuhl nomination.”