[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GAGGING OF A SENATOR

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, yesterday the Senator from North Dakota was 
prevented from speaking on the Senate floor. They recessed the Senate 
in order to prevent him from speaking. I know the majority leader has 
certain privileges that other Senators do not have--leader's time, 
recognized first, and all that. But I think the majority leader made a 
mistake in trying to gag a colleague yesterday.
  We are here, expecting to vote every 30 minutes, on an amendment or 
reconsideration--recommittal on this terrorism bill, and the majority 
leader comes in, as is his right--I do not say he did not have the 
right--but we talk about telecommunications and we talk about Bosnia. 
Yet, the Senator from North Dakota could not talk about Social Security 
and balancing the budget.
  So, I want the Senate to know that some of us observe that. I believe 
the majority leader made a mistake. I think he realized he made a 
mistake. And we should not attempt to gag anyone here on the Senate 
floor.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.

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