Arlen Specter: “I submit a resolution which would modify the budget process to bring some sanity to the Senate as we consider the budget…”

“I submit a resolution which would modify the budget process to bring some sanity to the Senate as we consider the budget resolution. On March 13, less than a month ago, we took up the budget resolution. From 11:15 a.m. until 2 a.m, on March 14, this body was bedlam. May the record show the distinguished presiding Senator from Montana was nodding in the affirmative. If he wishes to have a disclaimer on that-- he has just signaled it is OK with him. There are two Senators on the floor of the Senate now, one presiding and one speaking, who can attest to an extraordinary event. The Senate is billed as the world's greatest deliberative body. During the time from 11:15 a.m. on the 13th, until 2 a.m. on the 14th, the place was bedlam--absolute bedlam. We were considering amendments which had not been available for examination by Senators or their staffs. We were considering them in a context of 2 minutes equally divided, so the proponent had a full minute. That may be a little long for speeches in the House of Representatives, but it is not in the Senate. The opposite side had 1 minute. It was impossible to hear what was going on in the Chamber. If you tried to listen to get the gravamen of what was going on, it simply could not be heard. During the course of the deliberations after midnight I had occasion to talk to the distinguished majority leader, Senator Reid, and the chair of the Rules Committee, Senator Feinstein, about doing something about it.”