Tom Udall: “Now there is no doubt the Senate has been reduced to a shadow of itself as the world's greatest deliberative body, a…”

“Now there is no doubt the Senate has been reduced to a shadow of itself as the world's greatest deliberative body, a place which, as Sen. Arlen Specter said in his farewell address, has been distinctive because of "the ability of any Senator to offer virtually any amendment at any time. I say to Senator Harkin, I know he has spoken passionately about the idea of offering amendments, how our democracy has deteriorated in the Senate because it takes now 60 votes--every amendment. I say to the Senator, it did not always used to be like that, did it? I would ask the Senator, did it? The Senator has been here a while. What was the Senate like 10, 15 years ago? Could you get an amendment through with a majority vote?”