Thomas Daschle: “I hope we can find a way to resolve this procedurally. I applaud Senators Murray and Shelby and others who reached the…”

“I hope we can find a way to resolve this procedurally. I applaud Senators Murray and Shelby and others who reached the compromise that is now part of the bill, and I hope, whether we reach another agreement or whether we can't reach agreement and simply have votes, we can do that. I think we have made reasonably good progress before the August recess on appropriations. I have had some discussions with the Republican leader, as well as with our caucus and my leadership. We have discussed just what remains to be done prior to the time we leave. I think it is fair to say we are way behind the curve with regard to where we should be on the appropriations front. We have only completed three appropriations bills so far. I hope at the very least we can complete our work on at least two more--Transportation and HUD/VA. I have indicated to Senator Lott that would be my desire. I have indicated to my caucus that there is no question that we ought to be able to do those two. Senator Byrd, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, shares my view. So my expectation and my determination is that we complete our work on those two bills.”