Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I appreciate so much the distinguished deputy leader of the Democrats coming down because there are a lot of different…”

“I appreciate so much the distinguished deputy leader of the Democrats coming down because there are a lot of different precedents in the Senate for all the years that the Senate has been in session. Last session was quite unusual in that we had a 50-50 Senate when we first came into office. We made an agreement at that time that was based on 50-50, and the agreement was that it would stay in place regardless of what happened during that time. We can argue about what the funding ratio is of committees, but I don't think that should hold us up from doing the business of the people. The committee allocations have been determined by agreement. The numbers that serve on the committee have been set. So the committee appointments could be made, and we could open for business. What we are losing this week is the nomination hearing for the Secretary of Homeland Defense, because the Democratic chairman would not yield to the Republican chairman to chair such a hearing. Now, Mr. President, there should not be a Democratic chairman in this Senate. The Republicans have control of the Senate. That is a fact. So I ask the distinguished deputy leader if we can open for business, hold hearings, appoint the committee so the Democrats and Republicans would have their committee assignments and be able to begin the work and let the negotiations go on for what the money allocation is for the committees.”