William Helms: “the pending amendment is obviously intended to put an end to the distribution of condoms to children in the public…”

“the pending amendment is obviously intended to put an end to the distribution of condoms to children in the public schools without the consent of the children's parents. The amendment has the support of almost 75 percent of the American people as polled by USA Weekend, a publication of the USA Today newspaper, in its January 7 edition. However, before I begin to discuss the amendment itself, let me explain why it is my intention as of now to never again furnish Senator Kennedy with an advance copy of any amendment that I offer in the Senate. In good faith yesterday I gave him a copy of yesterday's amendment which had to do with a very important subject to me. And in good faith today at his insistence, I again furnished a copy of the pending amendment. Now I find that Senator Kennedy's staff went immediately to the Department of Health and Human Services, headed by Secretary Shalala who is known around this town as 'Madam Condom,' and HHS began to solicit letters opposing my amendment from every possible advocacy group in town. That is not fair play. And yesterday, in connection with the previous amendment, unbeknownst to me, the Senator's staff duplicated copies of the amendment before it was called up and distributed them to the people from the liberal special interest groups out in the waiting room so they could lobby Senators against the amendment. So I serve notice that I have furnished Senator Kennedy an advance copy of my amendment for the last time.”