This is a big deal for the Senate, this kind of excitement just doesn't happen on the floor. This exchange happened earlier today - this is not an official transcript, so may have some small typos, etc.
Mr. Reid: Mr. president, I will not be lectured about civility by the junior senator from Pennsylvania who has repeatedly disrespected veterans. Three times he opposed funding for veterans, votes in committee and here on the senate floor. I ask consent that his voting record be submitted in the record. On those issues.The background is during Sen. Reid's speech on the veterans funding
The presiding officer: Without objection.
Mr. Reid: Mr. President, now with an election cycle upon us, he supports, under pressure, voting for veterans. Talk about crass politics. The junior senator from Pennsylvania can't run from his record. He owes the veterans more.
Amendment Reid made the following statement:
Reid: Funding, VA. Secretary nymphlyon son: by the way, his qualifications are he was chairman of the national republican party. He's head of veterans benefits now. And he said -- and i quote -- "I can assure you that the VA Does not need emergency supplemental funds in fiscal year 2005 to continue to provide the timely, quality service that's always our goal. I do not foresee any challenges"To which Santorum responded (then Reid came to the floor 30 minutes later to Deliver the rebuttal above.
Mr. Santorum) { not an official transcript }:Then that's what lead to Reid making the response at the top of this post.
The congress has always had to come and add more money. This is nothing new. What is new in this case is that we have had to come here at a late time and -- and add additional resources. And i think it's -- it's unfortunate, as i said earlier, i was very, very critical of this administration for not being more forthright and felt, as the senator from idaho suggested, that when we cast our votes saying that there was -- against the Murray amendment, that we did so with -- with not the information we needed. And -- and i think the administration justifiably should be criticized for that. I think, unfortunately, the tone that the senator from Nevada took, the democrat leader, was not one of frustration at all
I think given the nature and tenor of what we've been work on here was very unfortunate. I think one of the most unfortunate comments which i hope the senator from Nevada will think better of and come back and -- and correct the record, the to suggest that -- quote -- "the only qualifications of the secretary of veterans affairs is that he was chairman of the republican national committee." is an insult to the secretary of veterans affairs and his service to this country. This is a man who is a west point graduate. This is a man who served eight years in the active military, and he spent tours in Vietnam, he earned the bronze star, he earned the combat infantry xxxxx he earned the meritorious service medal and two air medals. This is not a man whose only qualifications was he was chairman of the RNC. He went on and got -- served in the reserves for 20 years, earned additional degrees, ran a business and was ambassador to the holy see. This man has a lot more qualifications as secretary of veterans affairs than many prior secretaries. And i would hope that the senator from Nevada would reconsider his shot at this secretary. Do i have concerns about the information that was provided? Absolutely./ does the secretary have to come and have an accounting for what he said and what he did -- in his short term as secretary?
Absolutely. Has he been called on the carpet in both the house and senate?
Absolutely. Will he be over the next few months?
Absolutely. But to take a shot at him personally in such a partisan fashion is beneath the leader of the democratic party. I would hope the leader of the democratic party would show some leadership in civility when it comes to people who have served this country honorably and continued to do their best. Mr. President -- i yield back my time and ask that the votes on the Santorum and Murray amendments be stacked at a time designated by the leaders.
Man, I'll bet Ricky santorumed his pants after that exchange :-)
