Frank Lautenberg: “I thank the Chair. My purpose in rising is not to engage in the current debate but obviously one needs always to be…”

“I thank the Chair. My purpose in rising is not to engage in the current debate but obviously one needs always to be reminded in this body about the fact that we are a body of rules and process that at all times has to be observed, and in particular when the senior Senator from West Virginia takes the floor there are always significant lessons to be learned. Since we have such a large number of new Members in this Congress as Members of the Senate, it is not only a functionally good experience but a good learning experience as well to hear the distinguished Senator from West Virginia. He is without peer when it comes to knowledge of the rules. I would also, Mr. President, note for the record that the distinguished Senator from New Mexico, the chairman of the Budget Committee, is someone whom I have worked with over my years here in more than one committee and have always found the Senator from New Mexico, even if we disagree on a particular policy or program, to be a man inscrutably honest and always willing to play by the rules.”