John Cornyn: “I know this perhaps seems like a small thing, but small things can have dramatic consequences. Let me give an example.…”

“I know this perhaps seems like a small thing, but small things can have dramatic consequences. Let me give an example. Senator X introduces a bill called the Clean Water Access Act sometime this year. For whatever reason, this bill doesn't get a hearing or the hearing is held perhaps with just a modest number of Members actually attending--in other words, it doesn't get a lot of attention. The bill is one of the thousands of bills introduced. And let's say my staff or your staff, Mr. President, or other Members' staff don't really have this bill on the list of priorities, of things to do; it is not one of the most urgent priorities because it looks as though perhaps there is not a lot of interest in the legislation. The bill never gets a vote in committee or on the floor, so Senator X decides: I have an idea. I will hotline the bill at the end of the year, at the very end of the Congress in the last few hours. What this amendment would do would be to impose a very commonsense requirement-- let's give adequate notice that this is legislation which Senator X intends to move--so that the appropriate scrutiny and consideration may be given to the bill.”