[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1994

  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate will resume consideration of S. 
2019, which the clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2019) to reauthorize and amend title XIV of the 
     Public Health Service Act (commonly known as the ``Safe 
     Drinking Water Act"), and for other purposes.

  The Senate resumed consideration of the bill.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, this is now the third day that we are on 
the Safe Drinking Water Act. We began consideration on Friday. We 
resumed consideration Monday. Under the order that the Senate agreed 
to, all amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act must be offered by 
the close of business tomorrow, Wednesday.
  I strongly urge Senators with amendments to take up their amendments 
now, to bring their amendments over to the floor so that the committee 
can deal with those amendments. There are a good number of those 
amendments to which the committee will agree. Some other amendments 
will take some work. I think then they can be agreed to. Other 
amendments may not be agreed to, and we would have to debate them, with 
a vote on those amendments.
  I might also say, Mr. President, that tomorrow, it is my 
understanding--I do not mean to prejudge the leaders' intentions--there 
will be a Joint Session of Congress to hear the Prime Minister of 
India. In addition, there might be another period during which the 
Senate will be unable to conduct business. Just another way of saying, 
Mr. President, that today is a good day for Senators to bring up 
amendments. The Senate might be in late tonight, but to avoid being in 
too late tonight, I urge Senators to bring over their amendments now. 
It is 10:15; it is the morning; it is daylight. There could not be a 
more opportune time to bring up amendments, to debate amendments, 
debate them fully so that the Senate can dispose of them in a most 
orderly manner.
  I again urge Senators to come up now, bring their amendments now, 
because I just know, we all know from observing, the early bird tends 
to get the worm. Ten fifteen is not very early, but it is early enough. 
I hope the Senators do come over and offer their amendments.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The presence of a quorum having been 
questioned, the clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRASSLEY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Iowa [Mr. Grassley].
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as if 
morning business for 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________