Thomas Daschle: “let me say I am disappointed that the cloture motion will be filed. I respect the decision of the distinguished majority…”

“let me say I am disappointed that the cloture motion will be filed. I respect the decision of the distinguished majority leader, but I remind our colleagues that only three Democratic amendments have been considered. One amendment offered by the majority was debated by the body for over 3 hours this afternoon. And I might add it was a nonrelevant nongermane amendment. So we have really not had much of an opportunity to debate many of the very relevant, germane amendments that reflect the legitimate concerns expressed by our colleagues over the course of the last several days. Let me just go back, if I may for just a moment, to remind my colleagues that this bill was introduced on Wednesday, January 4, with very significant and important differences from S. 993, the unfunded mandates bill that was reported last year. The Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing the next day, on January 5. There was a markup in Governmental Affairs scheduled for Friday, January 6. Senator Glenn, the ranking member, on behalf of several Democrats, asked for time to prepare amendments and consider issues raised at the hearing.”