[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9455-S9456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this is the day we can accomplish an awful 
lot for the American people in passing conference reports which are 
completed and ready to go to the President for his signature. Truly 
monumental accomplishments can be achieved today--or tomorrow. We have 
a lot of work to do, but it is work that we can finish, I think, in a 
responsible and agreeable way.
  For the information of all Senators, there are a number of important 
matters that are available for consideration that I hope the Senate 
will be able to proceed to and complete action on today. I understand 
at this time that the D.C. appropriations conference report, the 
military construction appropriations conference report, the Department 
of Defense authorization conference report, the legislative 
appropriations conference report and the health care reform conference 
report are available for Senate action. I hope all my colleagues will 
cooperate in allowing the Senate to do its business and complete action 
on these measures prior to recess.
  It is also still my intention to consider the Veterans' 
Administration, Housing and Urban Development appropriations matter 
this week. We need to get that bill completed so we can get into 
conference. Our veterans and people who seek the American dream of home 
ownership are dependent, in many instances, on this very important 
legislation. This is a bill I believe we can get completed, get it into 
conference, and then move it on to the President early in September.
  I will, once again, remind my colleagues there is a lot of work to be 
done and not a lot of time to accomplish it if we want to get out 
sometime today or tomorrow to go be with our constituents in our 
respective States. Therefore, Members can expect a full day and evening 
with rollcall votes throughout that time. Also, it may be necessary for 
the Senate to convene tomorrow, if we are unable to complete action on 
these important matters.
  Mr. President, if I could continue, I am prepared now to ask consent 
to approve the nomination of Ann Montgomery to be a district judge for 
Minnesota. I would like to do that. I am also, though, then going to 
move to approve the Commodities Futures--CFTC nominees. I believe there 
is a Republican nominee and a Democratic nominee. That has been held up 
for weeks and weeks and weeks. After a lot of effort and serious 
consideration we have cleared that. We are ready to go with that.
  We need desperately to have the Chief of Naval Operations in place. 
It has been a very slow but very careful consideration of the next 
admiral to be the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Johnson. His 
nomination is ready to be moved, along with a long list of other 
military personnel that deserve the opportunity to have their 
nominations completed. I would like to do that.
  We have a number of other very noncontroversial actions that we can 
take, including the naming of Federal buildings and a list--I mentioned 
some of them last night that we can get approved. So I am prepared to 
get started with that. I hope that would break through the logjam and 
get things started in the right direction.
  I am prepared also to begin discussing the D.C. appropriations 
conference report, the military construction appropriations report, the 
legislative appropriations conference report, and also to begin 
discussion on the all-important health insurance reform package. Is it 
perfect? No. Is it everything we want? I know it is not. But it is a 
major, major step forward for the women and men and children of this 
country--the guarantee of available and affordable health care. Could 
we leave this building tonight, not having done that?

[[Page S9456]]

  After a lot of fuss and carrying on yesterday and complaining and 
grousing, the House voted 417 to 2 for genuine, responsible, affordable 
health care reform that will make it available to people, with choice 
of the medical savings account. Senator Kennedy, Senator Kassebaum, 
Congressman Hastert, Congressman Archer, have worked heroically to 
bring this to conclusion. Can we not begin debate and come to 
conclusion on this important legislation now? Why not?
  Who among us here today, for whatever reason, wants to stop funding 
for the District of Columbia, as desperately as it is struggling to 
survive and stand on its feet? And we are going to walk off and leave 
this conference report uncompleted? I do not believe that will happen.
  Are we going to walk away from safe drinking water? Safe drinking 
water?
  Mr. FORD. It's not here yet.
  Mr. LOTT. I am a little worried that that bill would not be 
completed. I live in the District of Columbia. I worry about the water.
  It is not here yet. The distinguished minority whip makes that point. 
It will be here today.
  I am just racking them up, as to what we can do today. I urge my 
colleagues to come on over and let us get started. Let us not wait 
until the Sun goes down. Let us show them the Senate does not have to 
be nocturnal. While it may look dark here, it is light outside. We can 
bring some sunshine to this institution by doing these very important 
pieces of legislation.
  I am prepared to go to the first nomination, but I see at least two 
or three Senators who appear to be wishing to make some comments. I 
would be glad to yield the floor.
  Why do I not yield the floor and then, if Senators would like to 
comment, then I will move these nominations when they are prepared to 
do that.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I am prepared.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Texas.

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