[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--S. 2279

  Mr. McCAIN. So again now, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
it be in order for the majority leader, after consultation with the 
Democratic leader, to proceed to S. 2279, the FAA reauthorization, and 
that the bill be limited to relevant amendments only, of which we will 
have a list shortly.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and 
it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I know others will want to be recognized 
for comments, including maybe the Senator from Massachusetts, before we 
move forward with the FAA bill.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the Senator from Arizona.
  I just wanted to join in expressing support for our leader's position 
in raising this extremely important issue, the Patients' Bill of 
Rights. Our leader, Senator Daschle, has indicated a willingness to 
enter into agreements that would be reasonable and which would permit 
debate and discussion of these important matters that are at the heart 
of concerns of millions of American families, and to do it in a way we 
would not interrupt the important legislation that the Senator from 
Arizona has identified. We have been frustrated in having that 
opportunity.
  We had similar difficulty earlier in terms of the minimum wage. We 
were able to address that, not with the outcome that some of us might 
have hoped but nonetheless we were able to at least get a judgment on 
that. And we wanted to try to also get a judgment on this matter which 
is of central concern to families all across this country.
  I want to just add my support to the objections of Senator Daschle 
and also to express appreciation to the Senator from Arizona. We know 
that this is not his decision at this time to be making, but it is a 
leadership decision.
  I thank him for his courtesy and recognize it.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, let me briefly say as well, I support what 
the Democratic leader is doing on this HMO issue. Hopefully, that 
matter can be resolved.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I be allowed to 
speak as in morning business. It is not on this subject matter.
  Mr. McCAIN. I object unless I know how long it is.
  Mr. DODD. About 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCAIN. I have no objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized for 5 minutes.

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