[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1343-S1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--WHITEWATER EXTENSION

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
turn to a resolution extending the Special Committee To Investigate 
Whitewater Development Corporation, which I now send to the desk, and 
it be considered under the following time agreement: One amendment in 
order to be offered by Senator D'Amato, limited to 2 hours, to be 
equally divided in the usual form, and that no amendment be in order to 
the D'Amato amendment; further, I ask that following debate on the 
D'Amato amendment, the amendment be laid aside and the Democratic 
leader or his designee be recognized to offer an amendment, under the 
same restraints as the D'Amato amendment, and following the debate the 
Senate proceed to vote first on the D'Amato amendment, to be followed 
immediately by a vote on the Daschle or his designee amendment, and 
that following those votes, the resolution be advanced to third reading 
and passage occur immediately without further action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, and I 
shall object in just a moment, I just want to point out that the 
Democratic leader has made a proposal with respect to continuing the 
Whitewater inquiry for a limited period of time. We think at a minimum, 
as a courtesy, that proposal needs to be responded to and addressed.
  Second, we have no idea what the D'Amato amendment is that is 
contained in this proposal.
  Third, this provides for moving to immediate passage without an 
opportunity for sufficient debate, in our view, to explore all of the 
implications.
  Therefore, for all of these reasons, but particularly because of the 
proposal put forward by the Democratic leader earlier this afternoon, I 
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I note that under the consent that was 
sought, the distinguished Democratic leader or his designee would be 
recognized to offer an amendment, and I am sure under this arrangement 
he would have done so and we would have had a way to have both points 
of view considered.
  However, I understand the objection, and I know there will continue 
to be discussion between the leaders on how this matter can be 
addressed. That would be considered further. 

[[Page S1344]]

  In light of that objection just heard, I make the same request for 
the legislation to be the pending business on Wednesday, February 29, 
at 10:30 a.m. under the same restraints as the previous concept 
agreement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, for the same reasons already advanced to 
the previous request, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.

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