[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11831-S11832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, the Senate will be in a period of morning 
business until 10 a.m. Following morning business, under a previous 
order, the Senate will begin 1 hour of final debate on the conference 
report to accompany the VA-HUD appropriations bill. At the expiration 
of debate time, at approximately 11 a.m., the Senate will vote on 
adoption of that conference report. Following that vote, the Senate may 
resume consideration of the Internet tax bill. I believe we are about 
ready to complete action on that. We have been saying that for a week, 
but I think that the opposition really is minimal. When we finally get 
to a vote, it is going to be overwhelming. I hope those obstructing and 
delaying the bill will give it up and let us get to the final passage 
of this important legislation before we leave. I understand there is 
one outstanding issue remaining on that legislation. Hopefully, it can 
be resolved by the managers early this afternoon.
  In addition to the Internet bill, the Senate may consider the 
intelligence reauthorization bill, the human services reauthorization 
bill, under a 30-minute time agreement, and, possibly, the Treasury-
Postal Service appropriations bill. The Senate may also begin

[[Page S11832]]

consideration of the William Fletcher nomination under the previously 
agreed to 90-minute time agreement.
  At 5 p.m., under a previous order, the Senate is scheduled to resume 
consideration of H.R. 10, the financial services reform bill, unless 
another agreement is reached. I hope we can also come to some 
compromise agreement on that legislation so we can get it completed. It 
is very important domestically and, as a matter of fact, for our 
ability to compete in international markets. Members should expect 
rollcall votes throughout the day and into the evening.
  There are a number of meetings going on to resolve issues between the 
House and the Senate and the administration. I think a lot of good 
progress has been made in the last 24 hours. I felt like the dam sort 
of broke yesterday. We have the bankruptcy reform legislation 
conference report being finished now. The vocational education 
conference report was completed last night. That was the first time we 
had a vocational reauthorization in years, and certainly we need to 
focus on vocational education. That, coupled with the higher education 
bill that was signed into law 2 days ago, will begin to show that we 
are committed to working continuously to improve education for our 
children and for the families of this country in the future.

  We are in a position where we are about in final agreement on the 
WIPO bill, the intellectual property issue, and music licensing.
  A number of bills are coming to a conclusion. As soon as conference 
reports are available, particularly appropriations bills, they will be 
stuck right into the schedule, and hopefully a quick vote. We will then 
move with other conference reports. We hope to be able to move some 
Executive Calendar nominations. But that also will take a lot of 
cooperation.
  I thank the Senators for their assistance at this critical hour.
  I yield the floor.

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