Speech #990084434

I am not going to do anything. I say to my colleagues. except simply to urge those who are holding up passage of S. 1200 with debate on Social Security. whether it ought to be on or off budget. to try to come to terms so that we can move on and pass this bill. because we still have Superfund legislation which we hope to conclude this week. and we had hoped to be able to address a couple of appropriation bills. I know there is a lot of pressure from Senators on both sides who have official business elsewhere starting tomorrow. but the leader is in a position where we have already frittered away about 20some hours trying to resolve a nongermane. nonrelevant matter to the immigration bill. I do not say it is not important. It is important. The question is whether Social Security should be on or off the budget. We could argue that for months and probably will. but I would rather not do it on the immigration bill. It is my hope that we might work out some satisfactory language. satisfactory to the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania and the distinguished Senator from Arkansas . that would not preempt their rights later on. that would preserve the argument and their leadership. and still finish the immigration bill early this afternoon. move back to Superfund. and then line up some time tomorrow for a couple of appropriations bills. I say to my colleagues that. about 1:30. if there is no action. we may start some of our own. I suggest the absence of a quorum.