Senator Pell, a committee member and one of the endowment's founders, spoke against the nomination.

"In my view," said Senator Pell, "she comes up short on each of these points."

The money from Senator Pell's legislation would help finance that proposed study.

Senator Pell has offered such legislation several times in the past, but it never caught fire.

Well, Senator Pell's proposal originally was that it's not to exceed $7,200 in a given year.

Senator Pell was asked what such a party could result in.

"Let everyone have a bite of the action," Senator Pell said, smiling.

"If you look at his record, he doesn't seem to have all that much background," Senator Pell said.

Senator Pell said "thank you" and took the cigar from between the fingers of his host, who was completely nonplussed.

Senator Pell said the Administration's plan was "moving in precisely the wrong direction" and that larger grants for more students were needed.