Russ Feingold: “while I strongly supported a timely finish to debate on this measure, I voted against the motion to invoke cloture on S.…”

“while I strongly supported a timely finish to debate on this measure, I voted against the motion to invoke cloture on S. 1637. The debate over the past few days leading up to this vote has made it clear that the total time needed to consider the amendments remaining on this measure totaled less than 2 hours. So there was no need to invoke cloture on this legislation. Unfortunately, cloture does mean that critical amendments, including my own amendment to strengthen our Buy American law, would no longer be in order. To be clear, I do not support delaying consideration of the underlying bill. As I indicated to both leaders, I was willing to enter into a short time agreement for consideration of my amendment, and I understand that others who were offering amendments were also willing to limit the time on their amendments. But cloture not only limits the time available to debate this bill, it also means that the Senate will not be able to consider my amendment, as well as other worthy proposals that relate directly to the loss of manufacturing jobs that has wracked so many communities in Wisconsin and across the country.”