Don Nickles: “It is no secret that I have had serious reservations about this resolution. Let me first make a commitment to Majority…”

“It is no secret that I have had serious reservations about this resolution. Let me first make a commitment to Majority Leader Daschle and soon-to-be Majority Leader Lott that I will certainly work with them and all Members of the Senate to make sure it works. I have the greatest respect for them, and I have the greatest respect for the Presiding Officer, the Senator from Hawaii, Mr. Akaka, who is, in my opinion, Mr. Civility in the Senate. I have stated in the past that what is vitally important for us to be successful in the Congress is that we need a greater return of civility and working together and trusting each other. This resolution I have had problems with because it is difficult for me to see how two people can drive a car at the same time or have their hands on the steering wheel at the same time. Also, the way I look at the precedents of the Senate, it is not consistent. When the Senate was organized on January 7, 1953, there was an equal number--the Senate was equally divided 48-48, with 48 Republicans and 47 Democrats; the Independent was convening with the Democrats, I think. The resolution said there was an equally divided Senate, but it also gave a majority of one on 15 committees. I am troubled by breaking the precedent of the Senate. I think it is important that we work together. I compliment the leaders because they have been working together. It is incumbent upon us to make this work.”