On the recordApril 22, 2010
I rise today to address the financial regulation proposal that is before us right now. I wish to talk about some of the conversations that are taking place about our status. No. 1, I think everybody in this body knows that people on both sides of the aisle would like for us to come to an agreement that makes our country's financial system stronger, protects consumers, and tries to insure us against the kinds of things we have all witnessed over the last couple of years. I think on both sides of the aisle there is tremendous desire to see that happen. There has also been some discussions, though, about the process leading up to this. I know the Senator from Nevada has talked a little bit about the fact, for instance, that they negotiated with Senator Corker for 30 days. This bill is 1,400 pages long, and I think by all accounts most people felt as though we were almost completed--the analogy that is being used is, we were on the 5-yard line and the lights went out. Somehow or another, taking 30 days to try to discuss a 1,400-page bill and get it right has been discussed as taking a long time. I don't consider that a long time at all.
