you've got to sort of question what the heck is going on. >> nancy, how do you see what senator collins is doing? >> well, first of all, just to maybe correct the record or at least register a counterperspective to whether the tax bill matters from a timing standpoint, the burden of proof is on who's pushing don't ask, don't tell, something that could be taken up at any point and bringing it up when we're fighting two wars is a bit much. it's only happening because it's a lame duck session. the tax extenders must occur or we hit this economy with a crippling tax increase within a matter of weeks. so it is only responsible to deal with the tax question first. as far as amendments being offered to the defense authorization bill, i find it stunning that people here are challenging the fact that the senate, the u.s. senate, which is supposed to be the most deliberative body in the world, would want to debate and offer amendments on a bill of this significance. >> nancy, they've had 9 1/2 months. >> this is about debate on the senate floor and be able to offer amendments. so are you saying they should not be able to offer amendments and somehow curtail debate on a major piece of legislation? >> i'm saying they need to vote on this thing. of course they're going to have amendments, reid's offering 15,