[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 103 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

  The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill.
  Mr. BOND. Madam President, we are now back on the VA-HUD bill.
  I see my colleague from Minnesota has come in. I understand he wants 
to speak on another measure. But I ask my colleagues, if they have any 
business, if they wish to do anything, please be here before 6 o'clock. 
We are willing, ready, and able to do business and move forward on VA-
HUD. But we do not need to hold personnel here if nobody is going to 
come forward.
  With that invitation, or request, that all of our colleagues who may 
have either amendments or colloquies advise the ranking member or 
myself by 10 o'clock tomorrow that we will be here for votes, it will 
be a good opportunity for us to determine what measures are going to 
come before the body so we can schedule the work on this very important 
bill and move forward.
  I thank my colleagues for their cooperation. I hope they will let us 
know what amendments they have.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I have discussed the floor situation 
with the Democratic leadership. They are currently doing a hotline 
asking that all Democrat Senators who have amendments to please apprise 
us of them this evening so that we will be able to report to the 
chairman tomorrow and to our leadership what those amendments are.
  Upon the completion tomorrow on Treasury, postal, it would be my hope 
that anyone who must offer amendments on NASA--and some amendments have 
been traditionally offered on NASA--that they be on the floor so we can 
do this before the party conference. I know there are many Senators who 
have given a great deal of thought on how to improve these programs. We 
will be anxious to hear about their amendments.
  So, Madam President, we are doing our best to make progress on this 
particular bill, and moving this bill forward. We will be able to 
report to you tomorrow morning.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. GRAMS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota [Mr. Grams].
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to be able to speak as if in 
morning business for up to 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAMS. Thank you very much, Madam President.

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