Thomas Daschle: “I just urge the cooperation of all Senators. The only way this dual track is going to work is if we can accommodate each…”

“I just urge the cooperation of all Senators. The only way this dual track is going to work is if we can accommodate each other's needs. That is what generated our agreement to address both bills in this fashion. Senators on both sides want to be accommodated. They have amendments to offer. This allows for that process to continue--to allow amendments on Defense authorization in the morning up until early afternoon, and then to take up appropriations in the afternoon--so that we can work through the appropriations bills that we know we must get done. We will be unable to go to appropriations bills in the future if we can't continue to accommodate each other's needs. I think this is working well. I hope we can continue to work well to work off the list of amendments. Senator Reid does his magic with our list, and I know we have our colleagues on the other side who are attempting to do the same there. But we ought to have these votes and debates. I think it is good for the country and good for the institution to be able to have the opportunity to debate some of these issues. That is what we are doing, and that is why you see the cooperation you have this week. I yield the floor.”