[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            LOBBYING REFORM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, prior to the distinguished Senator from 
Maine leaving the floor, I want to express my appreciation to her, 
Senator Lieberman, Senator Dodd, and Senator Lott for their work on 
lobbying reform. We are going to complete this legislation; it is just 
a question of when we complete the legislation. It is something we need 
to do, and the American people want us to do it. Even though I am sure 
everyone's patience was tested yesterday--I have managed bills and I 
know how difficult it is when you can see the light at the end of the 
tunnel and somebody throws up a light and you can no longer see the 
end--we will complete the legislation. I am hopeful and I am confident 
we can do it on a bipartisan basis.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I thank the Democratic leader for his 
comments. This is an important piece of legislation. It has been 
completely bipartisan. The legislation reported by the Homeland 
Security Committee was reported with only one dissenting vote. The bill 
that was reported by the Rules and Administration Committee was 
reported unanimously. We have worked very closely with our ranking 
members, and I appreciate the assurances of the Democratic leader that 
his side of the aisle recognizes the importance of enacting this 
bipartisan legislation. There is no reason why with a good effort we 
can't complete the bill today.
  I thank the Democratic leader for his comments.
  I thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.

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