Sen. Graham and I do not think it would be appropriate to vote on this bill while the president is there, so we have agreed to delay the vote,

[But Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who had been among the IRS' critics for not raising the rate, said the IRS hadn't gone far enough.] The IRS, ... took a good first step ... but more needs to be done.

I am not saying I will vote against John Ashcroft because he is pro-life, ... But let me say if someone was nominated for attorney general who was vehemently pro choice -- who in his or her career spent decades trying to find ways to expand the law abortion at nine months would be perfectly legal -- wouldn't you be more upset and raise more of a voice than against a nominee who was simply pro-choice?

[It is not clear if the latest meeting would similarly lead them to hold off pressing for a vote.] We'll see, ... We'll see if there's progress.

My first reaction is a simple one: It could have been a lot worst. ... The president has not sent us a nominee that we've rejected already.

We need that bill passed, ... New York City is doing a great job on homeland security, but their resources are stretched as far as they can be stretched, and we're not getting the help from Washington that we need.