[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1913-S1914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning we will be in a period of 
morning business to allow Senators to make statements. Yesterday, along 
with Members from both sides of the aisle, we had the honor to lead a 
Senate delegation to Houston for the memorial service for the Columbia 
astronauts. It was a touching and fitting tribute to those proud 
pioneers, to those proud heroes, and today we continue to grieve along 
with their families and their friends--many of them we had the 
opportunity, as a delegation, to visit with yesterday.
  Later today, the Senate will adopt a resolution that will express the 
Senate's gratitude and appreciation for these heroes. A rollcall vote 
is expected on that resolution at approximately 12:15 or 12:30 today.
  Today, by previous consent, the Senate will begin debate on the 
nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a circuit judge for the DC court. 
Debate will begin at 2:15. I know a number of Senators are prepared to 
come to the floor to debate and discuss this nomination. I hope that we 
can, after a full debate, reach an agreement as to when the Senate can 
vote on that particular nomination. I will be working with the 
Democratic leader in an effort to find a time for that vote to occur.
  As a reminder, the Senate will be in recess from 12:30 to 2:15 today 
for the weekly party caucuses to meet.
  Finally, this week, the Senate will need to act on another continuing 
resolution. I anticipate that we will receive a continuing resolution 
tonight or tomorrow morning from the House. I am unaware of any 
requests for a rollcall vote, and we may be able to clear that 
continuing resolution by consent when it arrives.

  I thank all Members.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brownback). The Senator from Nevada is 
recognized.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a couple of questions for the 
majority leader. Does the leader expect a vote on the resolution that 
is before the Senate today?
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I believe at this point we plan a rollcall 
vote between 12:15 and 12:30.
  Mr. REID. The other question I have for Members is this. I spoke to 
the leader earlier this morning. There are a number of people who did 
not go to the memorial service yesterday and are going to go to one at 
the National Cathedral tomorrow. Does the leader expect any votes in 
the morning?
  Mr. FRIST. No. In response to the question, we will be in session 
tomorrow. There are a number of memorial services that have been 
conducted over the last 3 days and will continue through the week. Out 
of respect, we did close down yesterday so that a number of people 
could go to Houston.
  Tomorrow the Senate will be in session. We expect no rollcall votes, 
but we will be in session. We can talk about what time to come in 
tomorrow morning, but I think we will be in until about 12 noon 
tomorrow, and we will not be in for the remainder of Thursday or 
Friday.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have one additional question. We are in 
morning business now until 12:30, or whenever the leader calls for the 
vote. I am wondering--because yesterday it got a little awkward--if we 
can have an agreement that the time would alternate--one Republican, 
one Democrat, back and forth. That way people have an idea of what to 
do when they come here. If there are two Republicans here

[[Page S1914]]

and no Democrats, OK. I don't think we need to do that in the form of 
an agreement, but at least the Chair would recognize we are going to do 
that.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I think that would be very much something 
we will agree to and appreciate. We have a lot to do in morning 
business over the course of today and tomorrow. To be able to use that 
time efficiently, alternating back and forth is certainly fine.

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