Thomas Daschle: “First of all, I share the recollection of the distinguished assistant Democratic leader. Yes, we did accommodate those…”

“First of all, I share the recollection of the distinguished assistant Democratic leader. Yes, we did accommodate those who had to travel for purposes of national campaigns in past elections. One would think we would do so in this case. We are trying to govern. We have the campaigns to run. One would hope we could keep the campaigns off the Senate floor. It is ironic that some in the majority who have been pressing to get this legislation done now keep us from getting it done for that reason. We have wasted a couple of hours here. We could have finished this amendment and moved on. I think everybody agrees we need to finish this legislation. No one has worked harder at it than the distinguished chairman. But now we are being told we cannot do that. I did not know it was finished unless it involves giving Senator Kerry a chance to vote. It is not the right thing to do. We know that. I hope we come to our senses and get on with getting the business of the Senate done.”