[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 206 (Thursday, December 21, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S19082-S19083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 134

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I associate myself with the remarks made 
by the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts. Many of us have 
watched with some dismay as the House continues to refuse to offer a 
resolution which funds the Government. They have now provided for a 
resolution which only funds that part of the continuing resolution 
dealing with veterans. We have no objection at all to the veterans 
resolution coming to the floor and passing it.
  We would like to offer an amendment which does that for everything 
else, including the children and many others who are adversely affected 
by this Government shutdown.
  It is our hope that at some point, certainly before the end of the 
week, that can be done and would like to see if it could be done 
tonight.
  So, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to House Joint Resolution 134, the veterans' continuing 
appropriations resolution; that the bill be read a third time and 
passed, as amended, with an amendment that will reopen the Government 
and keep it open until January 5, 1995; and that the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I do reserve the right to object and I shall 
object, because it does not seem to me this will serve any constructive 
purpose at this time.
  We are going back tomorrow. The principals are going to meet on a 
balanced budget in 7 years. I am not certain what action the House will 
take on this this evening, in any event.
  As I indicated to the Senator from Massachusetts, and I will again 
state to the Democratic leader, it is my hope we can make enough 
progress tomorrow that we can do precisely what he recommends. Maybe 
the date will not be January 5. I do not know about that date. It does 
seem to me we have made progress today. If we make some in the morning, 
perhaps we cannot only do some other legislative business, but also 
pass a continuing resolution. Therefore, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, let me just say, I hope as a result of 
the meeting tomorrow at the White House we can move forward with some 
form of a continuing resolution tomorrow. I would like it to be a 
complete continuing resolution, obviously, dealing with 

[[Page S19083]]
veterans and children and the whole range of those who are adversely 
affected by this shutdown.
  It must not go on. We simply cannot leave with this matter left 
unresolved. And so it is important that regardless of what happens at 
the meeting tomorrow, the Senate be on record in support of a 
continuing resolution which completely funds the Government for a 
period of time. I am hopeful the majority leader and I can work 
together to make that happen at some point tomorrow under any set of 
circumstances.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DORGAN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada has the floor and 
yielded to the two leaders for the purpose of the unanimous-consent 
request. Does the Senator from Nevada yield or reclaim the floor?
  Mr. DOLE. What is the pending business now?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Completing the statement of the Senator from 
Nevada, the pending business will be the conference report.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I simply want to make an inquiry of the 
majority leader. I wonder if the Senator from Nevada will allow me to 
do that.
  Mr. REID. I will, without losing my right to the floor. We talked 
about records. Senator Dole talked about his record. I think I have 
broken a record. I have been here and yielded 12 times. I will be happy 
to make it for the 13th.
  [Laughter.]
  Mr. DORGAN. Make mine the 14th.
  Mr. REID. This is the 13th.

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