[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     CONGRESSIONAL GIFTS REFORM ACT

  The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, what is the pending business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The committee substitute to S. 1935.
  Mr. HELMS. Is that further amendable?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is further amendable.
  Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.


                           Amendment No. 1677

  (Purpose: To prevent Senators from receiving free elevator rides in 
                      ``Senators-only'' elevators)

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I send an unprinted amendment to the desk, 
and ask for its immediate consideration.
  Before the clerk reports it, I offer this amendment in the spirit of 
levity of the Levin legislation.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  Mr. HELMS. I ask that the clerk read it all.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:.

       The Senator from North Carolina [Mr. Helms] proposes an 
     amendment numbered 1677.
       At the appropriate place insert the following:
       ``Sec.   . Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     Senators shall, from their personal funds, reimburse the U.S. 
     Treasury fifty cents for each and every use of an elevator 
     designated for the sole use of Senators in the Capitol 
     building or Senate office buildings.''

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, several Senators have said that this is a 
good amendment and that we ought to vote on it.
  I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Wellstone). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, we have discussed this amendment. I do not 
want to hold the Senate here longer.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the yeas and nays be 
vitiated.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, you can act on the amendment, if you like, 
on a voice vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the amendment?
  If not, the question is on agreeing to the amendment.
  The amendment (No. 1677) was rejected.
  Mr. HELMS. I will accept the Chair's interpretation.
  Thank you, very much, Mr. President.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
  Mr. HELMS. I move to lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I would hope that those who voted 
``aye'' on the last amendment would take upon themselves the honor code 
and put the 50 cents in a jar out there every time they use it, to show 
that the amendment was done in good faith, and perhaps we will start a 
treasury that will enable us later on to do some of the repairs that we 
occasionally have to do around the building.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin is recognized.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 6 
minutes as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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