Thomas Daschle: “last night, the majority leader and I announced that we had a tentative agreement with regard to the pending…”

“last night, the majority leader and I announced that we had a tentative agreement with regard to the pending legislation. We had hoped that as a result of our negotiations, which have been conducted in good faith on both sides, it would lead, hopefully, to an opportunity to come to some closure in the not-too-distant future on this important matter. Unfortunately, as a result of differences on both sides of the aisle with regard to the agreement, amendments are likely which would significantly alter the result of the negotiations that have been ongoing. As a result, the real prospect that the agreement could be successfully concluded in debate on the floor this afternoon becomes increasingly unlikely. I am disappointed because I feel it was an effort made on the part of many Senators--Republicans and Democrats--to bridge our differences to accomplish what we all want. The amendment that I have had pending has now been pending for a week. Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity during these negotiations to vote on it or on any other Democratic amendment. We have been hopeful that over the course of the last several days, we could have come to some conclusion about the agreement or about at least a time limit relating to the amendments, and come to some conclusion this week in one way or the other. That now does not look possible.”