Arlen Specter: “I am not fully conversant with all of the details on the issues raised by the Senator from Michigan. I have been asked…”

“I am not fully conversant with all of the details on the issues raised by the Senator from Michigan. I have been asked by staff to lodge an objection. I was present yesterday when we took up that issue. I have not seen the level of confusion in this Chamber in the 25 years I have been here that was present when the Senator from Michigan asked unanimous consent, the Senator from Virginia asked to add on, and then the Senator from New Mexico ultimately spoke about holds. It was utter confusion in the midst of rollcall votes, trying to move this bill along. I respect the standing of the Senator from Michigan to make this unanimous consent request, but I suggest she defer it until next week when the Senators are on the floor who understand what the issues are. You have jurisdiction on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, I believe, and Senator Inhofe and I were talking about it today. I do not want to stop whatever the Senator from Michigan wants to accomplish, but the proper Senators ought to be here to address the issue. I am the last Mohican around here for Republicans, although they could have gotten the Chair, Senator Chafee, to raise an objection. The Presiding Officer could suggest the absence of a quorum and raise the objection. In fact, I might just refer to him to raise the objection.…”