Harry Reid: “I certainly underscore the sincerity of the Senator from Kansas. Everyone knows how he feels about this issue. He has…”

“I certainly underscore the sincerity of the Senator from Kansas. Everyone knows how he feels about this issue. He has expressed it publicly. He has expressed it to me privately. I understand the sincerity of Senator Brownback on this issue. This is an issue about which other people feel just as strongly on the other side. I have sat through a number of hearings that had been originally led by the Senator from Pennsylvania where this issue first came up, and then we have had hearings since then that have been led by the Senator from Iowa. They have been probing, extremely good hearings, but they have been preliminary in nature in the sense that there is a lot more that needs to be done. Just 3 weeks ago on the Senate floor this issue came up. At that time it was believed there would be a time certain to take it up. There will be hearings, it is my understanding, in the Appropriations Committee held this Thursday and next Tuesday on this issue. I am sure there will be other hearings that will be held prior to the commitment of the majority leader as to when we would bring up this issue next year. That way we can have a full public debate on the issue with legislation being handled the way it should; that is, have unlimited amendments.”