Thomas Daschle: “Let me just respond briefly, and I know the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts is prepared to respond as well. We…”

“Let me just respond briefly, and I know the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts is prepared to respond as well. We have discussed as many scenarios as the imagination will allow. This is yet another iteration. Basically, all we have said is that we want an up-or-down, clean vote. There are a lot of scenarios that could bring that about. This is another example. Senator Lott and I have discussed many different ways in which to do this. But we still have not been given the assurance that we could have an up-or-down vote on freestanding legislation. So if the majority leader is now proposing that as an option, not marrying the two but have them freestanding, we will consider that. That is not my understanding, however. I will yield to the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts.”