[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 134 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--S. 1087

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, while we are waiting, I ask unanimous 
consent that upon disposition of H.R. 2002, the Department of 
Transportation and related agencies appropriations bill, the Senate 
turn to consideration of S. 1087, the DOD appropriations bill. This has 
been cleared on the other side.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me just say for the information of all 
Senators, the Senate will begin consideration of the DOD appropriations 
bill after disposition of the pending matter. In the meantime, various 
Senators are still negotiating ABM language that has blocked the Senate 
from concluding action on the DOD authorization bill.
  As soon as that language has been agreed to on both sides, if agreed 
to, it will be my intention to call for the regular order with respect 
to the DOD authorization bill and complete action on that very 
necessary authorization bill. Once that has been completed, the Senate 
will resume the DOD appropriations bill and remain on that item until 
disposed of. If they do not get an agreement, we will finish the DOD 
appropriations bill.
  There are also a number of nominations we have had a number of 
inquiries about. Depending on what else happens, we may be able to 
accommodate some of those requests. I know the Secretary of the 
Treasury, Secretary Rubin, is very, very concerned about Larry Summers, 
a Treasury Department nominee. As I understand, there are at least 25 
holds on that nomination. I am not certain we will be able to 
accommodate Secretary Rubin. We will be checking on this side of the 
aisle to see if there is any opportunity.
  Mr. STEVENS. Will the leader yield? I wonder if we can get an 
agreement that there will be no amendment in order on the Defense 
appropriations bill dealing with the controversy that surrounds the 
authorization bill, the ABM Treaty. It makes no sense to go on the 
appropriations bill if we are going to bring to the floor the people 
who are negotiating to finally resolve the problem on the authorization 
bill. I hope there will be an agreement our bill will not have any 
amendment pertaining to the ABM controversy.
  Mr. DOLE. I think we will wait until we get to the bill first.
  Mr. STEVENS. I just want everyone to know that while they are here. I 
am reluctant to take up the bill and get involved in the ABM 
controversy. As I said, it will bring the people out of the office who 
are hoping to get that resolved. I will wait, however.
  Mr. DOLE. We will wait until we get to the bill.
  Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.
  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, we did not object to going to Defense 
appropriations since it is understood that we can come back to the 
Defense authorization bill, which we really ought to pass before we 
pass Defense appropriations.
  As I understand it, we will come back to it just as soon as 
resolution is reached on the question of ABM. Senator Nunn of Georgia, 
the ranking member, I believe is working hard on that, and others are 
working from our side. We hope to be able to reach an agreement on 
that.

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