Byron Dorgan: “The issue of the private sector is one I am well familiar with. Senator Domenici and I offered the legislation last year…”

“The issue of the private sector is one I am well familiar with. Senator Domenici and I offered the legislation last year that became the basis for the language in last year's bill and also became the basis for the language in this year's bill on the private sector. We are the ones that indicated that we wanted the private sector included. If there is an aggregate cost exceeding $200 million that is going to be imposed on the private sector as a result of a mandate, my own view was God bless the mayors and the Governors. They certainly have legitimate complaints about mandates. But what about the mom and pop business on Main Street? What about the private sector folks trying to make a living? What about the mandates we impose on them? Why should not there be a comparable requirement with respect to the private sector? I am pleased to say with the cooperation of the Senator from Idaho and active work on behalf of a lot of folks here that that was included. And that makes this bill a better bill.”