[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1831-S1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I come to the floor to talk briefly about 
a matter that we have been especially concerned about in recent months, 
and that has to do with the Corps of Engineers.
  Prior to that, I rise to express my disappointment that we were not 
able to get to the electronic signature bill conference report today. I 
thought we had worked out all of the problems. Now, as I understand it, 
there are some problems on the Republican side. I hope it won't be held 
up too much longer. We need to get on with that legislation, and we 
have been trying to move this bill to conference now for some time. We 
had worked out our concerns with regard to representation, and I was 
certain we would be able to finish that work today. But given the 
problems there now appear to be on the Republican side, I am hopeful we 
can resolve those no later than tomorrow.

[[Page S1832]]

  I am reminded, again, as we file cloture, that the motion to invoke 
cloture is a motion to end debate. I am always amused by that phrase, 
``end debate.'' How do you end debate that you haven't even started? 
That is what we are being asked to do on Thursday, end debate on a tax 
bill that didn't go to the committee, on a tax bill that hasn't had one 
hearing.
  How is it that we would limit Senators' rights to offer amendments 
when those considerations are paramount as we consider a tax bill--a 
gas tax bill?
  So we are very concerned about why it is we need to move rapidly to 
this legislation if it is this important, if it is this much a part of 
finding ways in which to provide relief. You would think that, 
consistent with past practice and consistent with the recognition of 
the importance of the issue, it at least would have been given a 
hearing or some consideration in committee. That has not happened.
  (The remarks of Mr. Daschle pertaining to the introduction of S. 2309 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')

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