[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL

  Mr. DOLE. I think the managers on each side of the aisle are here. We 
do not want to take a lot of time. We are trying to work out something 
on the agriculture bill, a bipartisan solution, if you please. Senator 
Lugar, Senator Leahy, and others on both sides have been active. We had 
a meeting in Senator Daschle's office, including myself, Senator 
Daschle, Senator Leahy, and Senator Lugar. We believe there can be a 
resolution. But rather than keep people here late, late tonight, we 
would like to move ahead and have the debate on the telecommunications 
conference report.

  I understand that is agreeable to the Senators from South Dakota and 
South Carolina. I think there is a need to get consent on the other 
side of the aisle before we can proceed. There is no time limit. We 
hope to get an hour or two for a time limit. We said we cannot get that 
at the present time. But we would like to ask consent--I will not make 
the request now, but if we can get it cleared, I would simply ask 
consent that, notwithstanding the absence of official papers, the 
Senate now turn to the consideration of the conference report to 
accompany S. 652, the telecommunications bill, and the conference 
report be considered read.
  That would just permit us to go ahead and have the debate.
  I ask unanimous consent, notwithstanding the absence of official 
papers----
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. HARKIN addressed the Chair.
  Mr. DOLE. I have not made the request yet. I will repeat what I said 
and make the request.
  Mr. HARKIN. I understand that there is a consent request to move 
right now to the conference report on the telecommunications bill. Mr. 
President, I ask that the bill be read.
  Several Senators addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader has not yet finished the 
request.
  Mr. DOLE. Let me repeat the request.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, will the distinguished majority leader 
yield for a moment?
  Mr. DOLE. Yes.

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