[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8035-S8036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I think it is important now we give Members 
some indication of what the schedule looks like. Senator Daschle and I 
have been talking about how we can move forward.

[[Page S8036]]

  I believe we have two amendments that have to be dealt with, with the 
possibility of votes, at least two votes at 7:30, in order to finish 
the Treasury-Postal Service appropriations bill. I think there will 
probably just be one amendment vote and final passage, although there 
is another amendment that has to be disposed of in that time.
  At that point, our plan is to go to the District of Columbia 
appropriations bill. Work is being done on that now. Senator Daschle 
and I are ready to announce right now that if we can get that done 
tonight at a reasonable hour, we will not have any votes on Friday. If 
we have difficulty, if we can't get it done tonight, then we will be in 
with votes tomorrow. We probably are going to have to be in tomorrow 
anyway. Senator Daschle and I had already planned on being here. We 
want company. We are still working on nominations tonight, and we might 
have some we will try to get cleared tomorrow.
  Basically, I am saying that if we could get this D.C. appropriations 
bill completed, then we would not have recorded votes tomorrow. It 
behooves us all. We are in a good mode now. We are making progress. I 
urge those who are involved in the D.C. appropriations bill to work 
aggressively so we can complete this at a reasonable hour tonight. 
Otherwise, we will see you in the morning at 9:30.
  Mr. BYRD. Will the distinguished majority leader yield?
  Mr. LOTT. I am delighted to yield.
  Mr. BYRD. I hope you will have a session tomorrow without votes. 
There are many of us who like to make some speeches from time to time. 
We don't get the opportunity to do that. I would like to give a speech 
concerning Independence Day, for example, and there are others.

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as I indicated, I thought we might have to 
have a session tomorrow anyway because of some wrapup business we may 
need to do. If we have Senators who would like to speak as to the 
Fourth of July, that is all the more reason. The key question for all 
other Senators is, will there be votes tomorrow morning or not. That 
will depend on finishing up the District of Columbia appropriations 
bill.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished majority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. I yield the floor, Mr. President. I believe we have a D.C. 
unanimous consent request that is ready now.


                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1283

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we take 
up and consider the District of Columbia appropriations bill with the 
following parameters: 40 minutes equally divided on the Coverdell 
needle exchange amendment, with a second-degree amendment by Senator 
Durbin; 30 minutes for Senator Durbin's tuition assistance program 
amendment, and 10 minutes for the opposition; 15 minutes for Senator 
Durbin's sense-of-the-Senate amendment; the Hutchison managers' 
amendment, and a final vote.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mrs. BOXER. Reserving the right to object, I have not seen the needle 
exchange amendment or Senator Durbin's second degree, if he has one. I 
cannot agree to this at this time, until I see the amendment, because 
it affects a lot of people and it could mean the spread of disease. I 
need to see the amendment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. We will work with the Senator from California and let 
her see the amendment. I will ask Mr. Coverdell to make the amendment 
available.

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