On the recordApril 25, 2013
on Monday, before the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the Marketplace Fairness Act, I came to the floor to discuss the need to reinstate the committee process in the Senate. I have come to the floor many times over the past few months to talk about the importance of restoring regular order. I know a number of my colleagues share the same concerns. Yet here we are today debating another piece of legislation that has not gone through the full committee. It has not gone through the full committee process, and, once again, it appears we will be getting less than optimal results. I think the legislation before us is a prime example of why regular order is so essential. The Marketplace Fairness Act is a complicated piece of legislation that deserves more thorough examination. I think the bill is well-intentioned, and I am not fundamentally opposed to it. But make no mistake, there are problems with this legislation as it is currently drafted, problems that likely could have been avoided if the Finance Committee had been given an opportunity to fully consider the bill. I also understand the feelings of those who feel otherwise. But the committee chairman offered to have a hearing on a set date, a markup on a set date, and go to the floor. I thought that was a pretty good offer. I am not here today to talk about the process failures we have had with regard to this legislation. I think I have made that point, and others have as well.…
