Thomas Daschle: “as I think certainly everyone on the floor knows, but for those who may be viewing our proceedings and should know, our…”

“as I think certainly everyone on the floor knows, but for those who may be viewing our proceedings and should know, our caucuses have been meeting for the last hour to review the work which has been done by colleagues on both sides of the aisle in concert with the administration and with the House of Representatives. This work has been ongoing now for several days. The Appropriations Committee, through the leadership of Senator Byrd and Senator Stevens, on the use of force resolution, through the leadership of many of our colleagues on both sides, again in concert with the White House, have given their reports to the caucuses. I am about to propound a unanimous consent request that would allow us to vote on both the use of force resolution and the appropriations supplemental. We would hold open the Record for purposes of additional comment. I will read the unanimous consent request. Let me say, before I do read the request, how much I appreciate, once again, the leadership of our Republican leader. As he has throughout the week, he has been remarkable. We could not be where we are today, this country or this institution, without the strong partnership and leadership he has shown. I commend him, and I thank all of our colleagues for their remarkable participation during this difficult week.”