Thomas Daschle: “let me commend the ranking member and chairman on the work they have done on the last couple of legislative days we have…”

“let me commend the ranking member and chairman on the work they have done on the last couple of legislative days we have been on this bill. This is really just the second day we have been on the bill. As everyone recalls, this is not a piece of legislation that went through committee. We did not have the opportunity to review any of it in a committee. So even though the issue was subject to hearings, there was no specific hearing on this particular bill. We only had the opportunity to see it about a day prior to the time we recessed. Everyone now has, clearly, read the bill and had the opportunity to study it. So as a result, I think some of the amendments that were anticipated may no longer be required. But this is not a simple bill. This is not a small matter. This is a far-reaching piece of legislation that deserves our consideration. I think, given that, it is all the more remarkable that perhaps in a period of the next 48 hours, maybe less than that, substantially less than that, we will be able to complete our work.”