Thomas Daschle: “I also rise to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have participated in the debate that has just now…”

“I also rise to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have participated in the debate that has just now been completed. This is really the way it ought to be. This was a very difficult, emotional, contentious issue, an issue that involved Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the aisle on either side of the issue. It is appropriate that at times like this we commend both sides, both leaders for their civility and for the way in which this issue was presented to this body. It was a good debate, a debate in my view that brought out the very complex nature of this legislation. So on behalf of all of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I commend Senator Murkowski and the senior Senator from Idaho [Mr. Craig], and especially our colleagues from Nevada, Mr. Reid and Mr. Bryan. They all represented themselves well. They did the debate proud. I think it portends well for future debates on just as complex and controversial issues. I commend our Senators and appreciate very much the manner with which they conducted themselves in the last week. I yield the floor.”