Arlen Specter: “I find it extremely difficult to speak to and vote on this amendment because I have supported this amendment on so many…”

“I find it extremely difficult to speak to and vote on this amendment because I have supported this amendment on so many occasions. Senator Dodd accurately relates, when we were elected in 1980, we cochaired the Children's Caucus. Then, in 1987, after we were reelected, we were cosponsors of the first parental leave program which had just begun. We have been soldiers in the field. I have voted for this amendment again and again and again. But I am deeply concerned if we agree to this amendment at this time and add another $900 million to the current bill of $91.7 billion, we are not going to have any bill at all. We are not going to get 51 votes in this Chamber to pass this bill and to go to conference. I say that because of the deep-seated concerns which have been expressed by so many Senators about where we are. We have a bill at $91.7 billion which is within the budget caps. We have to go to conference with the House. We have to present a bill which the President will sign. I do not believe we will be able to do that if we add $900 million more.”