Political Quotes

“I do not want to engage in a long debate on the merits of mining law reform, but I feel it incumbent upon me to make a statement in response to the distinguished Senator from Arkansas regarding mining law reform. Mr. President, there were a number of statements made by my friend from Arkansas that he, for 5 years, has attempted to change the law. The fact of the matter is that that is true and we have had extended debates on this floor. And in each of those years, my friend from Arkansas failed to get enough votes to carry his position. Now, Mr. President, last year a number of reforms were offered by the Senator from Nevada and others, and they were passed by this body. For example, the law regarding patents would have been changed significantly had the Senate's position been upheld. But there are those who feel that they want all or nothing, and as a result of that, last year they got nothing. Mr. President, we all know, and we have debated on the Senate floor here over a period of years, that there should be changes in the law as it relates to mining. We, in good faith, have agreed to make significant changes, and we still stand ready to do that. There is a bill that has now passed the Senate, and a bill that has passed the House, and there is a conference committee going to meet.”