Howard Metzenbaum: “I made no violation of the rules. I know the rules of the Senate. I just talked about certain speeches being what I…”

“I made no violation of the rules. I know the rules of the Senate. I just talked about certain speeches being what I think they are, 'Alfonse in Wonderland.' Day after day, the junior Senator, with furrowed brow, tells us of his heartfelt concern for the hapless taxpayer as the statute of limitations runs out in the Madison Guaranty matter. He hints at dark motives on the part of RTC lawyers; he suggests possible wrongdoing on the part of prominent Arkansans; he alludes to serious improprieties committed by Government officials. He deplores the footdragging and delay that he imagines occurring in this investigation. Quite an impressive set of concerns for somebody who for over 2 years never gave this suddenly grave matter a moment's notice. Quite a transformation from somebody who voted time and again to shield and protect from prosecution the very people he now describes as such nefarious characters. Again, the Senator voted to prevent and preclude the Government from filing any civil charges whatsoever against anyone involved in the Madison failure. That is a fact. That is irrefutable. The Senator voted to close the door on this matter as many as three times over the past 2 years. And the Senator must have known the effect of his actions.”