Harry Reid: “through you to the distinguished Senator, first, on behalf of the people of the State of Nevada, and I think I speak for…”

“through you to the distinguished Senator, first, on behalf of the people of the State of Nevada, and I think I speak for the country, the way the Senator has handled this committee with Senator Levin during this very difficult time has been admirable. The Senator is my stereotype of the Senate. The Senator is a proud member of the Republican Party, yet the Senator has the wisdom and the experience to be able to set those partisan desires to one side. That is good for the country. The Senator has certainly indicated that during the past few days. We respect the Senator for that. Mr. President, we will be happy to cooperate with the distinguished chairman in attempting to finish this bill this week. It is a big ``ask,'' because we have on our side, and the Senator has on their side, Members offering amendments. I see the distinguished junior Senator from Mississippi is shopping an amendment. We have a number of bipartisan amendments being talked about. We are in the mode of wanting to cooperate. We understand the importance of this legislation. It may be very difficult to finish. We have Tuesday, we have Wednesday, we have Thursday, and Friday. As the Senator knows, this is the Friday before the Memorial Day recess. The Senator is more experienced than I, but come Thursday night, Friday morning, Members will have parades and things to do so it will be very difficult to finish this bill.”