[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7509-S7510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     EXTENSION OF MORNING BUSINESS

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, for the information of all colleagues, we 
are still in the process of negotiating a

[[Page S7510]]

time agreement on proceeding. We are not quite there. We are getting 
closer.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that morning business be 
extended for 30 minutes to be equally divided.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I say to the distinguished whip, I 
have been here for a long time hoping to offer an amendment to the 
agriculture appropriations bill.
  Can you give me any time when that bill might be coming to the floor?
  Mr. NICKLES. I will be happy to respond.
  It is our intention that the ag bill will not be the vehicle for the 
Patients' Bill of Rights or any amendments related to it. The unanimous 
consent request we are proposing or negotiating would bring up the 
Patients' Bill of Rights when we return from the Fourth of July break, 
with the bill to be brought up on, I believe, July 11, to be completed 
by July 15. So no amendments relating to the Patients' Bill of Rights 
will be offered on the ag appropriations bill.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. In exchange for a definitive date of bringing up the 
Patients' Bill of Rights?
  Mr. NICKLES. Correct. Absolutely.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. We would have minority rights to amend that bill?
  Mr. NICKLES. That is correct.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I thank the Senator.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection the request of the Senator 
from Oklahoma?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. MURRAY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Grams). The Senator from Washington.
  Mrs. MURRAY. It is my understanding that the Democrats now have 15 
minutes?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Then I will proceed.

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