Thomas Daschle: “I appreciate Senator Lott's expression of intent here. As we said last week, there is a real hope that we can resolve…”

“I appreciate Senator Lott's expression of intent here. As we said last week, there is a real hope that we can resolve whatever procedural difficulties we face in accommodating the desire the majority leader has noted: that we schedule a vote for final passage sometime before the end of this week. It is clear now we really do have a number of pieces of legislation that have to be addressed, including campaign finance reform as early as next Monday or Tuesday. In order to accommodate that schedule, it would be best if we could complete our work on this bill before Friday. I will be supportive of whatever procedural arrangements we can make that respect the rights of Senators on both sides to be heard. I want to accommodate those Senators who may have amendments that will fall if cloture is invoked, if we can address those amendments first early in the week so we can make sure those who have other ideas and other proposals can be accommodated. I will work with the majority leader to try to find a way to schedule a vote on cloture, if it comes to that, perhaps later in the day on Wednesday. Our preference is later in the day to accommodate those Senators, with an expectation that we can certainly finish the bill by Friday. I will work with our colleagues to see what arrangements best suit their needs.”