William Helms: “Senator Dole and myself, and I estimate about 30 to 35 Senators who met at lunch today, had a purpose yesterday in my…”

“Senator Dole and myself, and I estimate about 30 to 35 Senators who met at lunch today, had a purpose yesterday in my offering the pending amendment. We wanted to send a clear and unmistakable message to the administration that any proposal to make life easier for Fidel Castro will be vigorously opposed on a bipartisan basis by a majority of the U.S. Senators. The presence of Senator Dodd on the floor illustrates that. I believe that the point has been made. I believe it has been heard on Pennsylvania Avenue. If it has not, perhaps they should order some hearing aids. Let me make a confession or two. First of all, I do not like to break the Senate rules, or bend them. When I offered the amendment yesterday, I knew that it was legislation on an appropriations bill. The distinguished Senator from Hawaii and I have a little joke about sanctimony, about when an amendment is legislation on an appropriations bill. This is done all the time. But that does not make it right, really. So my intent yesterday was just to make a point--and I had discussed with Senator Dole my intention to make a few remarks, which I did, and then to withdraw the amendment.”