Arlen Specter: “yesterday I had announced our hope to be able to conclude this bill by this evening. Senator Lott was on the floor when…”

“yesterday I had announced our hope to be able to conclude this bill by this evening. Senator Lott was on the floor when we were talking about scheduling and I discussed it briefly with our distinguished majority leader, and also with Senator Harkin, the ranking Democrat, and asked that anybody who intended to file amendments to let us know by the close of business yesterday, or in any event no later than noon today. We have been advised of a number of possible amendments. I believe it is possible to work some of those out. Others will have to go to votes. But I would restate at this time our urging anybody who intends to file an amendment to contact us by noon today so that we may proceed. There is one item which may not be completed by the close of business today, and that relates to the funding on testing which is now proposed by the administration. There was a statement in the media by Congressman William Goodling of Pennsylvania, chairman of their authorization committee, of his intention to oppose funding. And there was comment that a similar prohibition may be offered on this bill. Yesterday I was contacted by the Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, who urged support of their program, and we had a discussion.”