Thomas Daschle: “Let me again respond to the distinguished Senator from Alaska, chairman of the committee. I don't know why we have to…”

“Let me again respond to the distinguished Senator from Alaska, chairman of the committee. I don't know why we have to have all these conditions for taking up an important bill like this. What is wrong with coming to the floor, working through the bill, dealing with amendments. I am frustrated, I suppose, by the extraordinary demands put before the Senate. Here it is Thursday afternoon. One of the most important appropriations bills we will confront and we must deal with, the Senator from Alaska, as well intended as I know he is, is asking the Senate to take it up on a Friday, when he knows most people travel, and then resolve it before the end of Monday which is also a travel day. We can argue how productive Fridays and Mondays are. And yes, we ought to be able to work here 5 days a week. That has not been the practice. And certainly if we gave Senators warning, those who have already made travel arrangements could probably cancel those travel arrangements. But here we are. He can't really mean what he has suggested, that he is going to finish an important bill like this over 2 travel days and a weekend. That doesn't work. That certainly wouldn't be recognized by any standard as a good-faith offer. Let's work this bill. Let's get it done. Let's have a debate. Let's have amendments. But let's recognize if we are going to do this, showcasing and posturing for purposes of trying to make it appear as if we are getting the work done is not going to satisfy the Senate.”