[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S462-S463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, momentarily I will ask consent for the 
Senate to go to S. 1287, the nuclear waste bill. I know there have been 
negotiations underway in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement 
on a manager's amendment to the nuclear waste bill. I thank Senator 
Murkowski for the work

[[Page S463]]

he has put into this important legislation now going back at least 2 
years.
  We have had a good amount of time spent on this legislation on the 
floor of the Senate, having passed it once before. A lot of work has 
gone into it this year. I believe we are within the realm of being able 
to get an agreement which would allow this legislation to move forward 
and be completed in a very fair way this week.
  I also extend my appreciation to the Democratic whip, Senator Reid, 
for his diligence and for his work. He has always made an extra effort 
to make sure we are communicating and there are not any surprises or 
dilatory actions taken as we try to come to an agreement that is 
acceptable to the largest number of people. Senator Bryan of Nevada is 
here. This is very important to these two Senators and to their State. 
I understand that and I have always tried to be sensitive, 
understanding their need to offer amendments or to make statements, and 
to be very careful as we consider this legislation. I thank them.
  I understand negotiations have been underway between Senator 
Murkowski in discussions with Senator Bingaman and others, but I do 
think we need to go forward. This is important legislation. I believe 
we are very close to getting an agreement that is going to be 
acceptable to a large number of Senators. We do need to have either 
this agreement worked out and understood so we can move forward without 
a cloture vote or go ahead and go to cloture because we have to set up 
a process that allows this to be considered, hopefully favorably, and 
completed this week. We have been working on it a long time and now is 
the time to begin to close the deliberations and pass this legislation.

  I understand Senator Reid has been attending a hearing and is on his 
way so we can proceed with this action. I do not wish to proceed 
without his presence because I know if any procedural action or any 
agreement is worked out, he wants to be here and be a part of what is 
done. I do say, though, I do have a commitment on the House side I am 
going to have to attend. I was supposed to speak at 11 o'clock, so I do 
need to go to the House to carry out my commitment as soon as possible. 
I will withhold any formal request at this time, but by making this 
comment now I hope maybe we can move expeditiously to call up this bill 
and to filing cloture.
  I have one final comment. I say again, as I have said several times 
in the Senate last year and the year before and again this year, this 
is one of the most important environmental bills we will have in this 
Congress. Billions of dollars have been spent on this issue, and an 
inordinate amount of time in the Senate, trying to find a way to get it 
done. If we can come to an agreement and get this legislation 
completed, I believe history will look back on this action as one of 
the most important bills we will have done this year. If, at the end of 
this week, we will have already completed the final version of 
bankruptcy legislation, which included a minimum wage increase and tax 
relief for small businessmen and businesswomen, and address the 
question of health care costs, and then pass this important nuclear 
waste bill, we will be off on a very positive step. It will be done in 
a way I think is fair to both sides of the aisle. We can continue to 
make progress. As soon as Senator Reid arrives, we will move forward on 
the nuclear waste legislation.
  I observe the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Enzi). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. I thank the Senators for being here as we prepare to move 
forward on this important legislation. I explained what has been 
occurring and the need to move forward.

                          ____________________