[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2001

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the 
Senate adjourns today, it stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., 
Friday, January 5; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of 
proceedings be approved to date; that the time for the two leaders be 
reserved for their use later; and that there then be a period of 
morning business until 11 a.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up 
to 5 minutes each.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, would the majority leader yield?
  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I would be happy to yield to the 
assistant Democratic leader.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The assistant majority leader is recognized.
  Mr. REID. I say to the leader, I have had a number of inquiries today 
as to whether or not votes may be required tomorrow. I heard you say we 
may have at least one very important vote tomorrow that is possible. Is 
that true?
  Mr. DASCHLE. That is correct.
  The possibility exists that a request for a rollcall vote could occur 
on the organizing resolution. And were that to take place, of course, 
we would set a time certain for that matter to be voted upon, which 
would include, of course, some time for debate.
  Mr. REID. I ask one further question. If, in fact, that vote is 
required, it would be on organizing the Senate, which is a very 
important vote. Is that also a fair statement?
  Mr. DASCHLE. That is correct.
  As all of our colleagues know--the distinguished Senator knows 
probably better than anybody on our side--this has been a matter that 
Senator Lott and I have been working on now for over 2 months. We have 
been in constant consultation with our colleagues on both sides, and 
with our more senior Members even more frequently.
  So this is a very important matter, and I hope people would treat it 
as such. It is critical we continue our work here so that we can 
organize the Senate, that we can appoint Members to appropriate 
committees, and that we can take the business of the committees as 
seriously as that business requires, given hearings and other issues 
that need to be resolved at an early date. So it is very important for 
us to conduct our business throughout the rest of the month.
  I appreciate very much the assistant majority leader's comments and 
questions in that regard.
  I now yield the floor.

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