Patrick Leahy: “I also have great affection and respect for the Senator from Nevada. I know to err is human and to forgive divine. While…”

“I also have great affection and respect for the Senator from Nevada. I know to err is human and to forgive divine. While I make no claims of divinity, I forgive him for his position on this. I also point out both the distinguished Senator from Nevada and the distinguished Senator from Utah are two of the hardest working Members of this body. In their debate, they have been strong and forthright, as has the distinguished Presiding Officer, who made his first speech on the Senate floor on this issue. I noted at that time, so many times when one gives his or her first speech on the floor it is on an inconsequential item. This time, it was one of the most important items that the distinguished Presiding Officer will have a chance to debate during his tenure in this body. I say this because I think during the past weeks of debate, all of us, Republicans and Democrats, have tried to fulfill our responsibility as one of the two Houses of Congress to create a full and fair record. Sometimes it may have seemed tiring, for the distinguished Senator from Utah and myself, as floor managers, to be here. But the more we have listened, the more we have realized that this is one of those issues where a strong and full debate record has been made. Even if those of us who have been here may not realize that at this moment, certainly historians will.”