Thomas Daschle: “I think at this point it would not be appropriate for us to begin the very first day of the U.S. Senate, the first day…”

“I think at this point it would not be appropriate for us to begin the very first day of the U.S. Senate, the first day of the new term, for us to begin on this note. I think we will have plenty of time to adopt that strategy and tactic. I do not like for us to discomfort our colleagues on this day of celebration for both new and reelected Members. I think that the issue has to be addressed as quickly as possible. I believe that American public opinion will demand that we move forward. I do not think there is any doubt about it. I urge my friend from Minnesota to let the Senate move forward on this day, this very important day, before we have to start calling people back here and going into quorum calls and that kind of thing. This is, if I may say in all due respect to my friend from Minnesota, not appropriate on this day. I urge my friend from Minnesota allow the Senate to move forward, again, reemphasizing my commitment to him that we will move forward in a bipartisan fashion on this compelling issue.”