[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11825-S11826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have just spoken to Senator Daschle. We 
have been communicating with our colleagues on the other side of the 
Capitol. I understand the Senate will shortly receive from the House 
the appropriations bill containing the final appropriations measures, 
and we hope to have some agreement on how to proceed shortly.
  We will notify Senators and hotline that information. Once Senator 
Daschle arrives on the floor, hopefully we can move forward with that. 
In the meantime, there are just a couple of bits of information for our 
colleagues about the remainder of this session and the dates for 
activities we will have next year.
  Of course, we hope to have the sine die adjournment resolution here 
shortly.
  Senator Daschle and I jointly will have resolutions thanking the 
officers of the Senate, the staff of the Senate who do just a 
magnificent job on our behalf and on behalf of the American people 
quite often during long and weird hours. They really do a magnificent 
job, and we thank all of them for what they do.
  Also, I see Senator Reid is here, the assistant Democratic leader. He 
has really made a difference since he has been in his leadership 
position. He is always calm and always diligent. He works on both sides 
of the aisle. I want to acknowledge that and thank him for all of his 
work. I will not overdo it now because I don't want to get him into 
trouble as we approach the last few minutes of the session.
  I want to inform the Members of some important dates and events of 
interest concerning the beginning of the 107th Congress. I see Senator 
Daschle is here. He can communicate with the staff. I will run over 
these dates quickly, and then we can visit.
  Of course, at 12 noon on Wednesday, January 3, the 107th Congress 
will convene with an immediate live quorum, to be followed by the 
swearing-in ceremonies for the newly elected Senators.
  I want to emphasize that. That is on January 3. It is at 12 noon. 
There will be a live quorum, and all Senators are required by law, if 
they want to be sworn in and receive pay, to be here for that occasion.
  On Saturday, January 6, the Senate will proceed as a body to the Hall 
of the House of Representatives for the official counting of the 
electoral college votes.
  The Senate has passed a resolution that would move that to January 5, 
which would be a Friday, instead of Saturday, January 6. The House has 
not yet passed that resolution. But they have indicated that they may 
pass a resolution changing the date to Friday, January 5, for the 
counting of the electoral college votes. We will let all of our 
colleagues know exactly about that.
  I believe we are required to proceed at 1 p.m. on either Friday, 
January 5, or, as it now stands, January 6. We will make that clear 
later on. Senators will be notified if there is a date change, if and 
when it is confirmed.
  Of course, Inauguration of the 43rd President of the United States 
will occur at 12 noon on Saturday, January 20.
  Furthermore, because a Senate committee is a continuing body, 
committees may begin working on committee nominations on January 5 or 
6. Senator Daschle and I will be working on that. But there is the 
possibility, between January 3 and the Inauguration, that there could 
be some committee hearings on nominations. We will have to work through 
that. Of course, it will depend on the receipt of those nominations 
once the investigations have been completed. We will work through what 
committees and how that will be handled. Members who might be involved 
will be notified as early as possible, and hopefully that will be even 
before the end of the year.

  Votes on confirmations may take place even on Saturday, January 20. I 
believe that has been the case in the past--if not January 20, 
certainly beginning on Monday, January 22. We will want to move forward 
very quickly on actually confirming the nominations. Senators will be 
further notified on January 3.

[[Page S11826]]

  Regarding the Cabinet nominations schedule, when we receive those 
nominations, again we will work together on what that schedule may be.
  Again, I want to thank the Senate officers, Senators, and leadership 
on both sides of the aisle for what I believe has been a very 
productive session and for the dedication of Senators to the American 
people.
  I see Senator Daschle is here. We have some resolutions we can do if 
we have a break here in a moment. Then we will have some that we want 
to do at the very end of the session.
  At this point, I yield the floor if Senator Lautenberg wishes to make 
any comments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I thank the majority leader and the 
Chair for recognition.

                          ____________________