Thomas Daschle: “Mr. President, education is probably the most important issue we will address this year, particularly with regard to the…”

“Mr. President, education is probably the most important issue we will address this year, particularly with regard to the array of budgetary questions that we face and we are anxious to get to the bill to begin this debate. We don't expect that we are going to address every aspect of the education agenda with regard to this bill. But certainly when you have a tax vehicle and an education bill married, as this legislation represents, it affords us a real opportunity to talk about the array of challenges we face in this country, both from a tax as well as from an educational point of view. What we are simply asking for is a fair and open debate, giving the minority the opportunity to talk and to offer amendments that are not only germane but relevant. Unfortunately, our rules here in the Senate constrain us with regard to what has been offered. There is a big difference between a germane amendment and a relevant amendment. Democrats have an array of amendments dealing with education that are relevant, but under the very narrow definition of germaneness they are not germane to this bill.”