[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 17 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1133-S1134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will be in a period 
for morning business until 10 a.m. Following that, the Senate will 
resume consideration of S. 1173, the so-called ISTEA legislation, which 
funds our Nation's surface transportation infrastructure. It is hoped 
that the Senate will be able to make good progress on this important 
legislation during today's session of the Senate. Therefore, Members 
with amendments to the legislation should contact the managers of the 
bill to schedule floor time.
  In addition, we may consider executive or legislative business 
cleared for floor action. I believe we cleared four items off the 
Executive Calendar last night. So, rollcall votes are still possible in 
today's session, but unless we see more activity than we saw yesterday 
afternoon, I don't know that we will get to a recorded vote. But we 
will have some announcement on that at the earliest possible time after 
I consult with the managers of the bill and the minority leader.
  Let me say again, there have been a lot of speeches made on the 
floor, both last year and earlier this year over the past month, about 
how important this legislation is, how anxious Senators are to get on 
this legislation. I have a half dozen to a dozen letters on my desk 
from Senators saying, ``Let's get started; this is so important.''
  Where are you? We need some amendments. Let's throw it up here on the 
wall. Let's get started. We are not going to be able to stay on this 
legislation indefinitely. At some point we are going to have to say OK, 
we are going to stay in at night, over the weekend, so we can finish 
this legislation and move on to NATO enlargement, the budget 
resolution, the Coverdell A-plus education bill, perhaps a supplemental 
which would provide funds for Bosnia, Iraq, IMF--in part or in whole. 
So, we have a lot of work to do. I have been saying that now for about 
a month, and class doesn't seem to be ready to go to work and take the 
tests. So, again, I plead with my colleagues, let's get some amendments 
started. I am expecting by late afternoon Monday, and certainly on 
Tuesday and Wednesday, we are going to be having amendments on a 
regular basis, and votes.

[[Page S1134]]

  Let me add this additional encouragement. We are not going to let 
this just languish. If we have to go to third reading--I have always 
had this real desire to go to third reading and end it. There are some 
200 amendments pending out here. At some hour, some Thursday night, we 
are going to be scrambling around here trying to get an agreement on a 
list of 50 amendments which we will then have to vote on after 5 
minutes of debate, or 2 minutes. That's ridiculous.
  It has been a nice 3 months, but it's time to go to work. I am going 
to be counting on some amendments very soon. If we do not have them by 
the middle of next week, I am going to start doing everything I can to 
cut off amendments. Because if they are serious, you will come to the 
floor and offer them.
  With that cheery note, Mr. President, observing no Senator anxious to 
speak, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Gregg). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. 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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