[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 84 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6378-S6379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1052

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 11:30 a.m. 
tomorrow, Tuesday, June 19, the Senate proceed to the consideration of 
S. 1052, the Patients' Bill of Rights.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. LOTT. Reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, on my reservation, I note a couple of facts 
have to be considered at this time. That is, the manager of the 
legislation is not able to be here today. I have not been able to talk 
with him. I tried to reach him, as a matter of fact, this morning by 
phone--that is Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire--and other Senators 
who are directly involved in this legislation. I have not been able to 
get clearance to proceed at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.
  Also, I understand the underlying legislation that will be the 
vehicle we consider was changed perhaps as late as Friday afternoon. We 
are trying to get a look at it and see exactly what

[[Page S6379]]

changes have been made because that will determine what first 
amendments might be offered or what the tone of the debate will be as 
we open this legislation. I am sure we are going to be able to go to 
the Patients' Bill of Rights in a reasonable period of time, but at 
this time I have been asked to object. So I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Warner). Objection is heard.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I say before my friend leaves that we have 
copies of the legislation, and we will be happy to let anyone who wants 
look at it. I hope, as the minority leader indicated, that we can move 
to this bill tomorrow. If not, of course, there are other procedural 
things we can do to get to it eventually.
  I have spent time with Senator Gregg in recent weeks, and he is a 
pleasant man to be with. I know Senator Frist is well advised about 
this legislation. This has been going on for years, and we hope we can 
finally dispose of it one way or the other in the near future. I not 
only appreciate what the Senator has said but the tone in which he said 
it. We look forward to seeing if we can work it out tomorrow.

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