[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8593-S8594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--S. 1936

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I am very happy to say we have a unanimous-
consent agreement with regard to how we handle the nuclear waste issue. 
There has been a lot of discussion and give and take.
  I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding the consent agreement 
with respect to S. 1936, the cloture vote scheduled to occur on 
Thursday, July 25 be vitiated and the Senate proceed to the bill at 9 
a.m. on Wednesday, July 31 under the following time agreement: 8 hours 
total for debate on the bill and all amendments, to be equally divided 
in the usual form: That there be four first-degree amendments in order 
to be offered by the Democratic leader for his designee; that there be 
4 first-degree amendments in order to be offered by the majority leader 
or his designee; that all amendments be limited to 1 hour to be equally 
divided in the usual form; that all amendments be in order 
notwithstanding the adoption of any earlier amendment and all 
amendments must have been filed by the close of business on Thursday, 
July 25; provided further, that no amendment dealing with the storage 
of nuclear materials on Palmyra Atoll or some other U.S. Pacific island 
be in order; that all amendments must be germane to S. 1936 and in 
accordance with rule 22, and not subject to second-degree amendments, 
with no motions to refer in order; and following the conclusion or the 
debate time and the disposition of the amendments, the bill be 
immediately advanced to third reading and final passage occur all 
without further action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. BRYAN. Mr. President, I indicate to the majority leader that this 
has been cleared on this side of the aisle. We have no objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CRAIG addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho is recognized.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I will take but a brief moment. Let me 
thank the majority leader and our colleagues from Nevada for the kind 
of work that has produced this unanimous-consent agreement. I trust now 
that we will be able to move expeditiously on the issue of nuclear 
waste.
  While it is an issue of great contention on the part of some of our 
Members--and certainly our colleagues from Nevada have great concern 
about what ultimately occurs here--I think we have, with this UC, an 
opportunity for a final conclusion and to express the will of the 
Senate--and, hopefully, the House--on an issue that is of national 
importance. I thank the Senators for their cooperation.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Campbell). The Senator from Alaska.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to add, as chairman of the 
Energy and Natural Resource Committee, my satisfaction with the 
negotiations. I know the agony associated with this issue relative to 
Nevada. Unfortunately, we simply have to put this waste somewhere, and 
this question will now be resolved with a vote, at least in this body. 
I think, further, the willingness to try and work toward a solution 
enables the majority leader to move on with the business of the Senate, 
rather than tie it up in an extended filibuster, which, obviously, 
every Member has a right to proceed with. Nevertheless, we have a 
responsibility to resolve these issues in a manner that suggests some 
expeditious process.
  I thank the Senators for their cooperation, ensuring that they will 
leave no stone unturned to pursue their convictions, but yet allowing 
the Senate majority leader to proceed. That is indicative of not just 
their good nature, but a recognition of what this body is all about.
  I thank the majority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to make certain. No objection was 
heard, so the agreement was reached, is that correct?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, first, if I could briefly say something. I 
want to personally extend my appreciation to our leader, who spent a 
great deal of time with the majority leader trying to work this out. I 
think it shows good faith that we are trying to move things over here. 
We feel comfortable with the agreement and especially appreciate the 
work of the leadership.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I believe there was no objection heard, is 
that correct? Has this been agreed to?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, that is correct.
  Mr. LOTT. I want to thank all the parties involved, including the two 
Senators from Nevada, for their fairness and knowing how important this 
is to them, and for the involvement of the Senators from Alaska and 
Idaho, for their work.
  My colleague from Nevada is absolutely right to say that Senator 
Daschle was helpful in this. In fact, he first initiated the idea on 
how this might be handled. It took a lot of discussion and coordination 
on your part.

[[Page S8594]]

 He has been involved in a constructive way. I appreciate that type of 
work across the aisle. That is how we get things done in the best 
interests of our country.
  I yield the floor.

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