On the recordSeptember 21, 2012
I rise to respond to my friend and distinguished colleague, the Senator from Massachusetts. In the first place, it is significant. Dr. Afridi has been in prison for more than a year. It is significant that this amount of time has elapsed. It is appropriate that we respond in some fashion. I don't know why exactly legislation has not emerged from the Foreign Relations Committee, on which I sit. The fact is it has not. I respect the junior Senator from Kentucky for having the courage to bring forward this legislation. Regardless, the fact is that this legislation is now before us. We can argue about how it got here and about whether it should have gone through committee, but it is before us. The fact that it is now before us means the Senator from Kentucky who introduced it ought to have certain prerogatives--prerogatives to change it or modify it before it gets to the floor. That is the point I was making, and that is the point I think bears some mention here. I think that is a point which was somehow lost in this discussion today, and that is most unfortunate. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Kentucky. Unanimous consent Request--S. 3576
