Bill Lee: “I have been asked by a couple of my colleagues why it is that I couldn't just have the good sense to let their…”

“I have been asked by a couple of my colleagues why it is that I couldn't just have the good sense to let their amendments go through. I say let's do it. Let's have it right now. I support the amendment. Let's vote on it right now. Let's vote on Senator Moran's amendment right now, and let's vote on mine right now. Now the comparison has been made by the Senator from South Carolina that because he didn't get his vote because someone objected this morning to his amendment dealing with the Export-Import Bank, that I should also have my amendment blocked. It is important to realize that the Export-Import Bank was not created by a previous iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act. The provision I am objecting to here and the provision I am trying to address here was, in fact, created by a previous iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act. It was passed in 2011 with, I believe, far too little consideration, without the American people being aware of what they were doing, and it remains on the books to this day. The next argument made by my friend from South Carolina is an interesting one, which is that this needs more of an airing, needs more of a hearing. He has promised me now a hearing on the Judiciary Committee which he chairs. As much as I appreciate that gesture, that is not enough. Let me replay a couple of things. First of all, I have been working on this for 5 years. I got a vote on it 4 years ago, and 67 Senators voted for it.…”