Thomas Daschle: “I object. I simply again indicate my reason for objecting is not because I don't want to go to DOD authorization. I…”

“I object. I simply again indicate my reason for objecting is not because I don't want to go to DOD authorization. I would love very much to work with our majority leader in attempting to proceed to that bill. I have no problem with calling it up and permitting the full Senate to work its will. Again, he has proposed that it be done with only relevant amendments. I remind the majority leader, Senator Hutchinson offered a forced abortions in China amendment to DOD authorization just 2 years ago, and there have been many Republican nonrelevant amendments offered. I assume I am protecting the rights of Members on both sides of the aisle in insisting we have the opportunity to offer amendments, and I will work with the majority leader to see that we can take up this bill and work through his concern about amendments. Until we can work that out, I object to moving to it.”