Frank Lautenberg: “I appreciate the message that the chairman of the Budget Committee is sending out here, and that is the time is going to…”

“I appreciate the message that the chairman of the Budget Committee is sending out here, and that is the time is going to be consumed. We always know what happens when it gets to the bewitching hour, which is the end of the week, and people want to go home or take care of other business. I say to my colleagues on my side, as well as the other side, do not be surprised, if you want to delay doing it now, that you are not going to be able to get enough time, in many cases, to really explore the amendment that you want to present. We could wind up in a vote-a-thon. That is going to be allowed. It means 1 minute debate and a vote. I don't think that is a good way to do legislation. I say we are going to be here. Senator Domenici and I have agreed we will stay as long as we can, to use the expression, to do some business, to have people come down and offer their amendments. We invite them, whether it is 10 o'clock or 12 o'clock. We don't want an hour to elapse in between them, frankly, but we are here and we will stay as long as our colleagues want to bring amendments.”