David Thomas: “I am interested in the fact that our fellow Senators talk about having a discussion. How long are we going to discuss…”

“I am interested in the fact that our fellow Senators talk about having a discussion. How long are we going to discuss this? It seems like we have been through this every year. We have been through it three times last year; we have been through it the second time this year. I can hardly imagine that anyone can make a case that we have not had a chance to talk about this issue. As a matter of fact, frankly, I just think we have a lot of things to do in the next 3 weeks. I hope we focus on doing those things and not continue to repeat and discuss the same things that we have done before. This subject had three failed cloture votes in 1997. This is the second cloture vote in 1998. We had the opportunity to talk about this, and under the system in the Senate which we all use, this issue has failed to be approved. Frankly, I think it will be one more time. I heard earlier that this is something that everybody in the country is clinging to and wanting to have resolved. I have not seen that. Where people are asked to list the things that are most important to them, where do you see this on the list? If at all, on the bottom. I think the fact is times have changed. The fact is we do spend more money, perhaps too much money, but we want people to vote.…”