Thomas Daschle: “I acknowledge the Senator from Nevada is absolutely correct. It is mystifying that they would allow a bill as important…”

“I acknowledge the Senator from Nevada is absolutely correct. It is mystifying that they would allow a bill as important as this to languish and not appoint the conferees we had every expectation would have been appointed the same day we did it in the Senate. Again, it is another illustration of the hyperbolic rhetoric we get about concern for conference and process, but when given the opportunity, no action is taken. That has been true on Defense, as well as many other bills. It is regrettable. Clearly, this is another illustration of how unfortunate this whole schedule has been. We have wasted another week. We wasted a week with the Defense Appropriations conference report. We could have completed our work on the Homeland Security bill this week. Instead, I don't think we have had a vote. If we have had a vote, except for the nomination, I don't recall it. We had one vote on a nominee and no votes on any legislative substance. We have wasted this week. We will waste next week, and as we continue to languish with all of this legislative work before us, we inexplicably have no opportunity to offer amendments and consider the legislative agenda that would make this a secure country. That is very unfortunate.”