[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HOLDS ON LEGISLATION

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise to express my disappointment at 
the fact that during conference negotiations on the District of 
Columbia appropriations bill, there have been efforts to drop a 
provision offered by Senator Wyden and myself, and which was accepted 
by the Senate. This provision was the antisecret holds provision which 
would have put an end to the practice of putting holds on legislation 
or nomination in secret.
  My colleagues are all aware of the practice of placing holds on a 
variety of measures. Any Member of the Senate who objects to a measure 
can place a hold to prevent further action from taking place until that 
Senator's objections can be resolved.
  I want to be clear about one thing. This provision would not have 
prevented Senators from placing holds. But it would have required them 
to be open and acknowledge when they have placed holds. Our provision 
would have simply required Senators to either announce on the floor or 
place notice in the Congressional Record within 2 working days that 
they have placed a hold. It is very disappointing that the D.C. approps 
conferees sought not to allow this provision to remain in the 
conference report. More, not less, openness is needed in this 
institution. It is regrettable that conferees seek to maintain the 
status quo.
  However, I want my colleagues to know that, should this provision not 
be included in the final conference report, Senator Wyden and I will 
not consider this matter closed.
  We have had to work long and persistently before to achieve 
legislative goals and we are prepared to do so again. We will continue 
to pursue this matter until we achieve the openness that is necessary 
to regain the public trust in Congress that it once had. I know that is 
a goal that we all want to reach.
  Senators should remember that simply because the provision is not in 
the conference report, does not mean that Senators cannot take the 
initiative on their own and declare their desire, to place a hold on 
legislative activity. I call on all Senators to declare their action 
when they place a hold on legislation. Senator Wyden and I have already 
pledged to be open about any such actions we take.
  I firmly believe that shedding more light on the work that we do here 
can only help make Congress more effective and accountable. It will 
inspire greater confidence by our constituents, without which we cannot 
effectively do our jobs. There has to be a fundamental trust among our 
constituents that we will strive to represent their interests and 
views. I know I've never had a constituent tell me that Congress needs 
to be less open, less straightforward or less honest about what we do. 
That's why I want my colleagues to know this is not the last they have 
heard of this issue. They can be in step with the American people's 
wishes by making their actions public and by making the holds process 
more open. I appeal to my colleagues to not allow this provision to be 
killed in the secrecy that we need to eliminate.
  I also want to thank my friend, Senator Wyden, for his hard work on 
this matter. It has been a pleasure to work with him on this matter and 
I look forward to our continued efforts together.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coats). The Senator from New Mexico.
  Mr. DOMENICI. I don't know whether the Senator wants to extend 
morning business. I think we are out of morning business. I just wanted 
to ask a 2-minute extension of morning business.
  Mr. GRAHAM. If the Senator is going to ask unanimous consent for that 
extension, I ask for a further extension of 10 minutes immediately 
following his extension for the purpose of introducing legislation.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. DORGAN. I shall not object, but might I inquire of the Presiding 
Officer, would the regular order be to go back to the fast track 
legislation?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. DORGAN. It is my expectation when this morning business is 
completed that that will be the business before the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That request would have to be made from the 
floor.
  Mr. DORGAN. I ask unanimous consent to be recognized following the 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. ROTH. I object for the moment. I would like to discuss the matter 
with the leader before we proceed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
  Mr. DORGAN. Let me withdraw my objection. I certainly don't want to 
be discourteous to my two colleagues. The 12 minutes they have asked 
for is not something I object to. I will not object to these two 
requests.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized to 
speak for 2 minutes in morning business.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Domenici pertaining to the introduction of Senate 
Resolution 148 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on 
Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida is recognized to 
speak for 10 minutes in morning business.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Graham pertaining to the introduction of S. 1471 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. ROTH addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware is recognized.
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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