Thomas Daschle: “I think the point I was trying to make, and I asked the response of the assistant Democratic leader, I don't know that I…”

“I think the point I was trying to make, and I asked the response of the assistant Democratic leader, I don't know that I have ever seen the majority go to the extremes they have on so many of the levels I have described to deny Members the right to offer amendments. Have there been precedents where the Senators have offered another Democrat or Republican amendment? Of course. But have they done so with all of the other layers of opposition, parliamentarily, that have been now shown to be the case here? Again, I argue, no, they have not. I think this is the most remarkable set of circumstances. What is amazing to me is we have already offered a limit on time. All we want is a simple opportunity to debate the issue for a brief period so we can be on record with regard to fairness for these many millions of immigrants who are looking to us right now for relief. That is all they are doing. Whether they are Liberians, whether they are Latinos, we have a responsibility in this Congress to respond. The President has said to me personally, and he has said in as many ways as he knows how, that he will demand this legislation be addressed before the end of the Congress. He has said that. If we don't do it on this, on what will we do it?”