[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 120 (Friday, September 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S8970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I have had a discussion with Senator 
Lott with regard to next week's schedule. I have indicated privately to 
a number of Senators my concern for the legislative agenda we must 
confront prior to the time we leave. That agenda includes a number of 
issues that have support on both sides of the aisle. It recognizes that 
we have been on the homeland security bill now for 3 full weeks and the 
Interior appropriations bill for an equal amount of time. I am 
increasingly concerned that the longer we stay on those bills, the less 
likely it is that we will be able to adjourn on time.
  Given that realization, my expectation is that we will require 
colleagues to be here at least possibly as early as next weekend to 
confront this agenda and to complete our work. I am not announcing 
necessarily that next weekend will be a work period, but I am 
suggesting to all colleagues that they not make any firm commitments 
next weekend.
  We have to finish the homeland security bill next week. We have to 
deal with perhaps a continuing resolution, short-term, because of the 
pending end of this fiscal year. We have a number of other matters that 
have to be taken up prior to the completion of our work at the end of 
this session.
  As I look at that schedule, I conclude that there is virtually no way 
we will be able to do this, and do it successfully, without longer 
hours and more days. The only days available to us, of course, are the 
Mondays and Fridays that have oftentimes been travel days for our 
Members but also Saturdays and Sundays.
  It is my expectation that we will be using weekend days between now 
and the end of session, that we will require Senators to be here at 
least on Saturday and possibly on Sunday in an effort to complete our 
work. That may occur as early as next weekend.
  This is not meant to be a threat or in any way a signal that we are 
not prepared to take whatever action necessary to preclude that, but I 
also want Senators to know that that is a very likely possibility.
  I come to the floor with a recognition that we do need to make 
Senators aware of the importance of the schedule and the significant 
amount of work that needs to be done before we leave.
  I appreciate everyone's cooperation and will appreciate the 
opportunity to speak more specifically to the schedule early next week.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
 Mr. WELLSTONE. Madam President, I regret that I was 
necessarily absent for the vote on the confirmation of Reena Raggi to 
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. I would like to include in the 
Record that I would have voted ``yes'' on this nomination.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Akaka). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. REID. We are now in morning business; is that true?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

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