Thomas Daschle: “What is wrong with regular order? What is wrong with bringing a bill to the Senate floor, having a good debate, allowing…”

“What is wrong with regular order? What is wrong with bringing a bill to the Senate floor, having a good debate, allowing the opportunity to offer amendments, and proceed under the rules of the Senate? Why do we need this gag rule with regard to this piece of legislation? Many of us are confused about that. And, unfortunately, many of the objections raised are being, in my view, misinterpreted by some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. All we want is an opportunity to offer amendments and to have a good debate. Some have suggested that this opposition is cynical. I don't know that the opposition expressed in the last several days by local officials including the mayor of Alexandria, Kerry Donley, by the Chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Chris Zimmerman, by the former Governor of Virginia, Linwood Holton, are cynical in their opposition to this piece of legislation. We are simply raising concerns about whether or not this is the right thing to do. But that again argues, it seems to me, that we need the opportunity to have a good debate. This should not be done in 2 hours and with just one amendment.”