[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--H.R. 2646

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, 
May 7, at 9:30 a.m., the Senate proceed to the conference report to 
accompany the farm bill under the following limitations with the total 
time limit of 12 hours divided as follows: On Tuesday, May 7, there be 
6 hours of debate equally divided under the control of the chairman and 
ranking member of the Agriculture Committee; further, I ask unanimous 
consent that on Wednesday May 8, there be 6 hours equally divided; and, 
finally, I ask unanimous consent that following the use or yielding 
back of that time on Wednesday, the Senate proceed to a vote on or in 
relation to the conference report without further intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, reserving the right to object--I will not 
object--let me withdraw the reservation and speak after we have gotten 
the agreement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The minority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, thank you for the recognition. I thank 
Senator Daschle for agreeing to this time.
  Obviously, the farm bill is a very important issue for our country, 
for our trade, and for many farmers, as well as consumers who depend on 
agriculture in America.
  There are a lot of concerns about this legislation. This is a very 
large piece of legislation. I think it is a 6-year program. It adds 
over $73 billion to farm programs, as well as not only the commodities 
but conservation and nutrition and food stamps. This is a huge bill.
  I think having adequate time to discuss the conference report is 
important.
  The ranking member on our side of the aisle, Senator Lugar, has a 
number of concerns which he needs to point out.
  I think this is a fair way to get it done. It does take away time 
that we could be spending on other bills but we cannot just ignore the 
support or the opposition to a bill of this magnitude.
  All things considered, this is the best way to proceed.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I will say one more time that I 
appreciate the help and leadership shown by the Republican leader in 
bringing this bill to the floor. I know sometimes you can't have 
everything you want. I wanted a shorter period of time, but we will 
live with this, and we will move on. I thank him for that.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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