[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I know we are about to go out. Before we 
do, I wanted to call attention to the fact that I wish we could have 
taken up the ESEA bill again this afternoon. The fact is that we have 
amendments that could have been offered on either side. We have 
indicated a willingness to even offer time agreements on virtually all 
amendments. There are a number of amendments that are pending. We are 
told that we just do not have time on the schedule to revisit ESEA this 
week. I really question that. The fact is that we have been in morning 
business all afternoon. We are not going to be in session tomorrow. We 
will be in debate only scheduled on Monday for the military 
construction bill. We are not overworked here.
  It seems to me that on an issue as important as ESEA needs to be 
addressed. The fact is, it should have been reauthorized last year. It 
wasn't. It needs to be reauthorized this year.
  We have fewer than 40 legislative days left between now and the time 
that we are scheduled to adjourn. With appropriations bills, the China 
debate, and a number of other issues unfinished--bankruptcy we hope, 
and other issues--there is very little time.
  So it seems to me that we ought to be using what time we have 
available to us to our best advantage. Being in morning business for 
most of the day is not my concept of utilization of time in an 
appropriate way.
  Again, I express the regret that we haven't had more of a chance this 
week to deal with this very, very critical bill. The education bill 
ought to be finished. We worked on it in a very constructive way, I 
have felt. There has been progress--limited, but, nonetheless, 
progress. We could have had a lot more progress. There is no reason why 
we can't finish this bill. There is no reason why we couldn't have done 
another bloc of amendments today and some amendments tomorrow. In fact, 
I think maybe we could have finished the bill this week. That is now 
impossible. And there is no prospect of bringing the bill up at least 
for the foreseeable future, given what the majority leader has 
indicated is his intention with regard to appropriations bills. I am 
troubled and disappointed by that.

  I make note of that as we end the day today. Hopefully, we will have 
more productive weeks and more opportunities to debate this issue. But 
time is going by quickly. We don't have that much more time. I hope we 
can better use the time we have.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.

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