Heidi Heitkamp: “Thank you. I was going to say ``Mr. Chairman,'' but I guess at this point he is just Senator Crapo. Mr. President, I…”

“Thank you. I was going to say ``Mr. Chairman,'' but I guess at this point he is just Senator Crapo. Mr. President, I want to take a moment and personally thank Senator Crapo from Idaho for his incredible leadership. Frequently we are asked: What is wrong in the U.S. Senate? Why can't you seem to get anything done, even though there is common purpose; that is, to protect the American public, defend the American public, and help the American public be prosperous? Frequently my response is that many times it is a lack of leadership. It is a lack of willingness to sit down, listen, and prepare a product that can get results. That hasn't been our problem with Senator Crapo. He has been there personally every step along the way, not delegating to staff but working with us one on one--sometimes, maybe, four on one. He may feel a little bit ganged up on, but I think it was fair odds for him, I might say. I also know that this would not be here without the leadership of Senator Crapo and the Banking Committee, a committee that historically has a reputation for being notoriously bipartisan. I want to extend my great appreciation for his work and for his willingness to listen and to work with all of us. What are we celebrating today? We haven't quite gotten it over the finish line, but certainly the vote we just had a couple of hours ago, which was broad bipartisan support on a cloture vote, is not something we see very often in this body.…”