Political Quotes

“I had the opportunity to hear most of the comments from the Senator from Delaware, who, as he knows, I respect tremendously on a whole range of issues, but in particular his commitment to doggedly working these issues of class action and asbestos, issues that are so important to the American people. He and I have had many discussions in terms of approach and how best to address the issues. It is frustrating for me, obviously, in many ways in trying to schedule a lot of legislation that is important for us to have to stop or to switch and sequence these pieces of legislation. Two of those pieces he mentioned--the asbestos legislation and class action--are two that I hope we can address. Although it is difficult on the floor of the Senate to fully address them, it is harder in committee. Both have been addressed in committee. The issues on each have taken a different course. Although no final decision is made, part of the reason for introducing a revised asbestos bill last night was that people who care very much about this issue--the 100 people in this body, and others who will be impacted by this significant piece of legislation--will be able to read a current document that I think is improved in many ways.”