Byron Dorgan: “I want to make some comments on three items that are left on the Senate's agenda that I am very concerned about. The…”

“I want to make some comments on three items that are left on the Senate's agenda that I am very concerned about. The Senate is going to continue, for apparently 2 additional weeks, and try to adjourn for the year and finish the 105th Congress on October 9th or October 10th. In the 2 short weeks that remain, I am told that we will consider H.R. 10, the financial modernization bill, fast-track trade authority for new trade treaties, and a substantial tax cut. I want to describe how easy it is, with a small amount of time left, to make big mistakes. I am mindful there will be much disagreement about these three items. And I am also mindful back in my hometown one of the older fellas who was the wise sage said, ``It's hard to tell the difference between the open minded and the empty headed. They dress alike.'' Let me describe these three issues and tell you what I think is empty headed about the attempt to try to pass these three pieces of legislation in the final 2 weeks of a legislative session.”