The Senator had agreed; but the meeting must be private, he said.
"Well, Senator, we've found one more thing we agree on."
In conference, the senators agreed not to authorize any money.
And he said the senators would not agree to full public disclosure of their finances.
Unable to block the measure, black senators agreed to the plan, saying it was the best they could hope for.
Then the senator abruptly changed his mind and agreed to participate by satellite.
Most senators agree that the tactical question of sending 20,000 more troops is not the central issue.
It seems unlikely that 42 Republican senators really believe in this bill and agree with all of its provisions.
Senators agreed to try to complete action on the bill on Friday.