[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 58 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4612-S4613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1618, S. 1723, S. 1260, and S. 2037

  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I intend to, on behalf of the majority 
leader, propound a unanimous consent request. I understand that at this 
time the Democratic leader may have to oppose this unanimous consent 
request.

[[Page S4613]]

 But I also believe that given the next couple of hours perhaps we can 
get some agreement. Both Senator Lott and Senator Daschle, I 
understand, are in discussion. But I think we ought to move forward as 
we told the Senate we would and at least start discussions of these 
bills.
  So, therefore, understanding that we have some optimism about a 
unanimous consent agreement within the next couple of hours, I will 
propound the unanimous consent request. I understand Senator Dorgan, 
the Senator from North Dakota, will object.
  Madam President, on behalf of the leader, I ask unanimous consent 
that the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic 
leader, may proceed to the consideration of S. 1618.
  I further ask unanimous consent that there be a total of 2 hours of 
debate equally divided in the usual form. I further ask that the only 
amendment in order other than the committee amendments be a managers' 
amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the 
above amendments the bill be read a third time and the Senate then 
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1618 with no intervening action or 
debate.
  Madam President, that is the antislamming bill, on which, as we know, 
there have been numerous hearings and discussion and debate not only 
within the Senate but in the entire country.
  Additionally, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after 
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the 
consideration of S. 1723. I further ask unanimous consent that there be 
a total of 2 hours of debate equally divided in the usual form. I 
further ask that no amendment be in order other than the committee-
reported substitute amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following disposition of the 
above amendment, the bill be read a third time and the Senate then 
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1723 with no intervening action or 
debate. That, Madam President, is the skilled workers immigration bill 
that is sponsored by Senator Abraham.
  I also ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after 
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the 
consideration of S. 1260. I further ask unanimous consent that there be 
a total of 2 hours of debate equally divided in the usual form. I 
further ask that no amendments be in order other than the committee-
reported substitute amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the 
above amendment, the bill be read a third time and the Senate then 
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1260 with no intervening action or 
debate. That bill is the Uniform Standards Act.
  Finally, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after 
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the 
consideration of S. 2037. I further ask consent there be a total of 30 
minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form, with an additional 
15 minutes under the control of Senator Ashcroft. I further ask that no 
amendment be in order to the bill.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the expiration or 
yielding back of the time, the bill be read a third time and the Senate 
proceed to a vote on the passage of S. 2037 with no intervening action 
or debate.
  Madam President, that is the so-called WIPO copyright legislation 
from Senator Hatch, reported out of the Judiciary Committee.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. DORGAN. Reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. DORGAN. And I shall object, but under my reservation let me point 
out, as I think the Senator from Arizona pointed out, no such agreement 
has been reached between the majority and minority leaders on these 
pieces of legislation dealing with the procedures under which they will 
be considered. All of the unanimous consent requests provide a limited 
time and limited amendments. I think in most cases only the managers' 
amendment would be allowed, which would then preclude amendments from 
other Members of the Senate. It is my hope that some kind of an 
agreement will be reached by the majority and minority leaders, but 
until such an agreement is reached, I am constrained to object, so I do 
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I remain hopeful that within the next 
couple of hours we can reach this unanimous consent agreement. There 
has been a great deal of discussion about taking up these pieces of 
legislation--in fact, several others in addition. But I believe that 
the Senator from North Dakota shares my optimism that perhaps we can, 
with some modifications, achieve a unanimous consent agreement.

  I yield to the Senator.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, if the Senator will yield, I do not 
think the question here is about the particular issues the Senator 
proposes to bring to the floor. In fact, most of them will have rather 
wide support. The question deals with the conditions under which they 
will be brought to the floor and on the restriction on amendments. As 
the Senator knows, that is a product of having to consult with other 
members of the caucus and the consultation between the majority leader 
and the minority leader. I know they are visiting, and I would expect 
and hope that that is resolved. But until it is resolved we must 
object, and I appreciate very much the understanding of the Senator 
from Arizona.

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