[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 101 (Thursday, July 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S7986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, let me say in closing, the assistant 
minority leader is in the Chamber, and I express through him to the 
entire Republican caucus our appreciation for their cooperation in 
moving this legislation that we have just completed, and the 
nominations. We now have completed three appropriations bills. Last 
Congress at this same time we were able to complete eight before the 
August recess. That is a goal we have. We certainly would like to be 
able to do that.
  Even though there has been a few missteps this week back and forth, I 
think there has been an understanding as to what is expected on each 
side. Again, I express my appreciation to the entire Republican caucus, 
through my friend, the senior Senator from Oklahoma, the assistant 
minority leader.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I wish to thank my friend and colleague, 
Senator Reid from Nevada. We did get some things accomplished today. We 
did pass two appropriations bills. We did confirm, I think, about 18 
people. And we are going to confirm about three judges tomorrow, and 
several other individuals. So we are making progress.
  I thank my friend and colleague as well for his patience. This is not 
the easiest process, as we found out in the last session of Congress. 
Sometimes it is more difficult to pass appropriations bills than it 
should be. But my friend from Nevada has been very persistent. He is 
getting his appropriations bills passed and we are getting some 
nominations through. I pledge to continue working with him to see if we 
can accomplish both objectives: completing appropriations bills in a 
timely manner and also seeing to it that President Bush's nominees are 
given fair consideration and are confirmed in an appropriate timeframe.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.

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