[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--S. 1301 AND THE VETO MESSAGE TO ACCOMPANY 
                    THE PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION BILL

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to S. 1301 under the provisions of the consent agreement of 
September 11. I further ask that at 2 p.m., the bill be laid aside and 
there be 4 hours for debate, equally divided, on the veto message to 
accompany the partial-birth abortion bill, with speakers alternating 
between the proponents and opponents.
  I further ask that at 6 p.m. the Senate resume consideration of S. 
1301.
  Finally, I ask unanimous consent that at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, 
September 18, there be 1 hour for debate, equally divided, on the 
abortion veto message and a vote occur at 9:30 a.m. on the question: 
Shall the bill pass, the objections of the President to the contrary 
notwithstanding?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I appreciate the cooperation getting this 
time agreed to.
  Mr. President, before I yield the floor to the managers of the 
legislation, I do want to take just a moment of leader time to make a 
plea for Senators, once again, to consider very carefully how they will 
vote this afternoon on the partial-birth abortion ban issue.
  The vote will be close. We need 67 Senators to override that veto. I 
believe there is no more important issue that we will vote on this 
entire year. I don't see how any Senator can defend this procedure.
  I took the time while I was home, about a year ago, to talk to Dr. 
Julius Bosco, the OB/GYN who delivered both of my own children. 
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, he was in the Air Force as a doctor, came 
to Keesler Air Force Base, married a local girl, and we couldn't get 
rid of him--he stayed. He is a great doctor and a great man. I asked 
him, Dr. Bosco, are there any circumstances at any time, any 
justification for this procedure being used? And he said, ``Never.''
  Three Senators hold the results of this veto override in their hands, 
and it will weigh on their conscience. I hope that the Senate will 
override this veto.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________