Political Quotes

“today, in just a short while, we will begin consideration of the House-passed tax reconciliation bill. As Senators remember, the Senate passed our bill, the Senate bill on November 18. We considered the bill for 3 days and after 17 votes, passed the bill with a 64-to-33 vote. With the two bills now complete, we would normally reach agreement to send them to conference to produce a final conference report. I have had a number of conversations with the Democratic leader on this matter. I know Members on his side of the aisle will object and desire to start the House bill with the 20 hours remaining under the statute. That is their right and that is what we will be doing. We have already considered the Tax Relief Act of 2005, and it is not my desire to take up any more of the Senate's time on this bill. We do need to move forward and get both bills to conference in order to reach an agreement on final language. That would take unanimous consent and, with objection from the other side, we have no choice but to proceed in the manner that we will, under statute over the next 20 hours. I do ask that Senators on both sides of the aisle use restraint and try not to use their entire block of time. Much of the discussion that carried on in the quorum call is how we can organize that in such a way to consider amendments appropriately and in a reasonable way. But we should not have to use all 20 hours. We have a lot of other important issues to consider.…”