Orrin Hatch: “I want to take a few moment to speak on behalf of the conference report. As you know, the negotiations over the details…”

“I want to take a few moment to speak on behalf of the conference report. As you know, the negotiations over the details of the Y2K Act entered their final phase last Friday, during the weekend, and through Monday and Tuesday of this week. With the tremendous help and diligence, particularly of Senators McCain, Dodd, and Wyden, we were able to craft a compromise bill which addresses every one of the major concerns of the White House. Let me say that the final bill reflects the spirit of compromise. But I must admit that I believe the original Judiciary and Commerce Committee bills--along with the House bill--would have been far more effective in dealing with the problem of the expected frivolous and massive Y2K litigation--than the current compromise measure. But because of the overwhelming importance and need for this bill, both sides acted in good faith and reached an equitable agreement.”