William H. Frist: “briefly, with the three votes we just completed relating to mass transit, we are on a good glidepath toward finishing…”

“briefly, with the three votes we just completed relating to mass transit, we are on a good glidepath toward finishing tonight. I should say we were on a good glidepath for finishing tonight. The chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee have cleared a large number of amendments, and it does appear we will be able to finish tonight. Having said that, I am very disappointed that we now have pending before us what is purely a political amendment on which we will be spending the next 90 minutes, plus the votes. We have been working in very good faith on a bill that funds important priorities to this country, to our homeland security, and that has been the focus. We have done very well staying focused on this bill until the Democratic, really political, amendment was offered. The pending amendment offered by the Democratic leader has nothing to do with funding of our national security. I am disappointed because it is going to slow down the underlying process on the bill. We will be spending the next 90 minutes on these two amendments, then followed by two votes. Hopefully after that we will put politics aside and attend to the Nation's business. Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader. Amendment No. 1222”