Don Nickles: “I want to reiterate my statement that Senator Coats was there from the beginning, and he was there at almost every…”

“I want to reiterate my statement that Senator Coats was there from the beginning, and he was there at almost every meeting saying, ``Let's get this done,'' and, ``Let's forge the consensus,'' ``Let's make the compromise,'' and he helped make it happen. He is also very correct in complimenting Senator Lieberman for making it happen. I mentioned that earlier. Senator Lieberman has been with us on this bill for a long time. He has worked with us. He has helped us craft the bill and helped make compromises to make sure it is enacted. I also thank our colleague from California, Senator Feinstein, whom we met with last night at length to be sure, again, that this bill would be acceptable and we could get it through. We did. We made a change. We changed the waiver provision from ``national security'' to ``important national interests,'' which, again, is something the administration wanted. I think it is still compatible with our goals and objectives of passing a good bill that will help move countries, that have been persecuting people because of their religious beliefs, away from that behavior.”