[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 3 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1295

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have a unanimous consent request with 
regard to S. 1295, which is the naming of the National Airport the 
Ronald Reagan Airport. But before I propound that request, let me say I 
want to make some comments after we have this request, about why we are 
doing this, and put in the Record some of the history about what is 
involved. I have been talking to the principal sponsor, Senator 
Coverdell. I know he has been talking to Members on both sides of the 
aisle. Senator Daschle and I have talked about it. I don't think we 
have, it would appear, an agreement worked out as to how this is to be 
considered, but I hope we can continue to talk about why this is 
important, why we want to do it, and see if an agreement can be worked 
out. I think it is the right thing to do.
  One week from Friday is the birthday of former President Ronald 
Reagan. I think it would be a very good and a magnanimous gesture by 
the Congress and by the President of the United States if he could be 
able to sign this bill on President Ronald Reagan's birthday. That is 
why the timing is critical and why we want to go ahead and begin to 
talk about it. Because Senators on both sides of the aisle had 
conflicts today, we are not going to be able to vote on it today--or 
would not have been able to vote on it, probably, today, anyway. But it 
is my hope, my intent, that we could get it done next Tuesday and then 
complete the process so we could do this in recognition of this great 
President.

  I ask unanimous consent the Commerce Committee be discharged from 
further consideration of S. 1297 and further the Senate proceed to its 
immediate consideration, and further, that there be one amendment in 
order relative to the modification of the original bill, with total 
time for debate limited to 2 hours equally divided between Senators 
McCain and Hollings or their designees, and, following the debate, the 
Senate proceed to a vote on or in relation to the amendment, to be 
followed by third reading and final passage. I further ask that if a 
rollcall vote is requested in relation to the amendment or passage, the 
votes be postponed to occur on Tuesday, February 3, at a time to be 
determined by the majority leader after notification of the minority 
leader.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Santorum). Is there objection?
  Mr. DASCHLE. Reserving the right to object, and I will be compelled 
to object at this time, for several reasons.
  First, there are a number of Democratic Senators who want the 
opportunity--to have a right to offer perhaps more than one amendment. 
There may or may not be opposition to this legislation, but there 
certainly is cause for some consideration of aspects to this issue that 
may not be as evident as we consider the prospect of a bill of this 
nature today: The costs associated with it; the process that we use in 
naming national or important public facilities; people have raised the 
question of whether it is appropriate for us to take the name 
Washington off of the name of this particular airport--ironically, the 
same month that we celebrate President Washington's birthday. So we 
celebrate not only one but two birthdays in February. The name 
Washington is very prominent in February, as is President Reagan's of 
course. Some have even asked whether the Reagan family wants this to be 
done.
  So, Mr. President, there are a lot of very legitimate questions. As I 
say, there are a number of Democratic Senators who may or may not be in 
support of this legislation, following the exploration of many of these 
issues. So I do not think it would be in our best interests to proceed 
today. I have had some discussions with the distinguished majority 
leader about the matter, and will continue to do so in an effort to 
resolve these questions and try to find a way with which to assure that 
this issue is fully explored and debated without unnecessary delay.
  So, on the basis of all of those relevant issues, Mr. President, I 
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The majority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I yield to the chairman of the committee 
that has jurisdiction in this area.

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