Don Nickles: “We are concluding a great debate that has lasted for years. I compliment the primary sponsors of this legislation…”

“We are concluding a great debate that has lasted for years. I compliment the primary sponsors of this legislation, Senators McCain and Feingold, for their tenacity, perseverance, and stubbornness in making this event happen. They have been very committed to their cause, and I compliment them for that. I like to see my colleagues and friends who have very strong beliefs work to enact legislation to implement those beliefs. They have done that today. They will be successful today. I congratulate them and compliment them. I also compliment my friend from Kentucky, Senator McConnell, as well as Senator Gramm, for their tenacity in opposing this particular legislation. I happen to agree with them on the substance of the issue. It is great to see a deliberative body, a body that is able to have friendships that are very strong and opinions that are very strong, express itself and do so in the form of debate and with significant discussion. We have done that. We have done it, frankly, over the course not just of this legislative session, but over 2 or 3 years. Looking at the substance of this legislation, we have had a great debate. We have had good leadership. We have had very dedicated individuals who have committed a great portion of their legislative career either promoting or opposing this legislation. It has been good for the body. It has been a good debate on strong issues--strong issues because we are dealing with the Constitution.”