Thomas Daschle: “we have not made a lot of progress in the last several hours, and I am hopeful that at some point today we can reach an…”

“we have not made a lot of progress in the last several hours, and I am hopeful that at some point today we can reach an agreement. The current situation would require a vote on three separate provisions of the same amendment to a bill that is now pending, the Travel Office reimbursement legislation. We have indicated that that is unacceptable to us. Earlier today, at a press conference, the distinguished majority leader, when asked if he would agree to consideration of three separate bills, answered, ``If we can get an agreement to vote on three separate bills, that's one thing. I've already given that agreement to have three separate bills.'' As I understand it now, that may not be Senator Dole's exact intent. But I must tell you that if it is, indeed, his position to accept consideration of three separate bills, then, indeed, we would be ready this afternoon to agree; we would allow a vote on the gas tax reduction and relevant amendments; a vote on the minimum wage and amendments that are relevant; and a vote on the TEAM Act with relevant amendments. That seems to me to be exactly what we have been proposing now for several days. If we can do that, we could reach an agreement by 4:45 this afternoon. So I am very hopeful that we are getting closer together, that we can find a way to resolve this impasse.”