Byron Dorgan: “Well, Mr. President, the appropriate place for that kind of discussion would have been a congressional hearing. That is…”

“Well, Mr. President, the appropriate place for that kind of discussion would have been a congressional hearing. That is where you discuss what provisions mean and how they are written. The provision reads: As to provide or pay any administrative cost of any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of an abortion. I don't understand what that means with respect to facilities or other issues. There are a series of issues that relate to that. And that is not, incidentally, just codifying the Hyde amendment, as the Senator alleges. This provision doesn't exist with the Hyde amendment. This is something the Senator conceived of and added. My point is, it ought to be the subject of a hearing. We don't disagree on the issue of Federal funding for abortion. We agree on that. But the Senator has mischaracterized his amendment.”