[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 149 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11242-S11243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the cloture vote on the Shedd nomination be vitiated and 
that following today's debate on the nomination, the nomination be laid 
aside, and that upon the disposition of H.R. 5005, the homeland defense 
bill, the Senate proceed to executive session and vote, with no 
intervening action or debate, on confirmation of Dennis Shedd to be a 
United States Circuit Judge; further, that if the nomination is 
confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, the President 
be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate return 
to legislative session; that if the nomination is not confirmed, the 
Senate return to legislative session with no intervening action or 
debate.
  I extend my appreciation to the Presiding Officer with whom we worked 
for several hours Friday and this morning. I have spoken personally 
with the minority leader, and he has acknowledged that this is the best 
way to proceed. I ask that the consent be granted.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from West 
Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. Reserving the right to object, I did not understand the 
distinguished whip's request with respect to H.R. 5005.
  Mr. REID. What I said is that when that debate is completed, we would 
move forward to vote on the Shedd nomination.
  Mr. BYRD. Even if that debate entails 30 hours in the train of a 
favorable vote on cloture on H.R. 5005?
  Mr. REID. That is right.
  Mr. BYRD. So that, indeed, the request has no impact whatsoever on 
H.R. 5005.
  Mr. REID. I would also ask that the previous order with respect to 
terrorism insurance remain in effect following the Shedd vote. The 
order in effect now is that we would do the terrorism bill immediately 
following homeland security. Now what we would like to do is dispose of 
the Shedd nomination and then finish terrorism.
  Mr. BYRD. Very well. I have no reservation.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Texas.
  Mr. GRAMM. Mr. President, it is my understanding that our staffs are 
talking. Someone just handed me this. If the Senator could wait for 
about 2 minutes, I think we are trying to run one

[[Page S11243]]

more trap. I believe this is acceptable, and I am sorry to 
inconvenience him.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am happy to do that. I withdraw the 
unanimous consent request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The request is withdrawn at this time. The 
Senator from Wyoming.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I understand we are still in morning 
business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

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