[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12179-S12180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF PROCEDURE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, after a lot of discussion over the course 
of the day, a lot of progress having been made due to the chairman and 
ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, the Democratic leader 
and I wanted to come to the floor and clarify and share with our 
colleagues how we see the next several days, and actually the first few 
days after our recess, play out in the sense that our mutual goal is 
that we address the Iraq and Afghanistan emergency supplemental bill in 
a

[[Page S12180]]

way that allows adequate time, appropriate time for debate, discussion, 
amendments, and voting.
  Knowing this Iraq supplemental would be delivered to us about a week 
and a half ago, we set out with the plans of last week being very 
intensive in terms of hearings, the flow of information, with the goal 
this week of addressing this bill on the floor of the Senate.
  Today, a few minutes ago, the chairman and ranking member reported 
out the supplemental bill through the Appropriations Committee and thus 
it is ready to be brought to the floor, which we expect to be tomorrow. 
We will be propounding a unanimous consent here shortly in that regard.
  We would see that bill be debated on tomorrow, the next day, and 
Friday--for the next 3 days--again with adequate time for amendment and 
debate. Then at the close of business Friday we would begin our recess 
and spend that next week on the recess, which is through the 13th, and 
on Tuesday the 14th return and continue with that debate over that 
week.
  The agreement is essentially that we would complete action on that 
supplemental bill by the end of that week, the week of October 14th 
through the 17th, by close of business October 17.
  In coming to this agreement, it is with a lot of good faith on 
everybody's part that we will be able to consider all amendments that 
pertain to the supplemental request, recognizing there will be a lot of 
amendments on both sides of the aisle and that we deal with those in a 
way that is fair to both sides. That is the general framework, and I 
will turn to the Democratic leader to further elucidate on what this 
general understanding is.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I would simply acknowledge that the 
majority leader has described our understanding very accurately. I 
believe we are in a position now to agree to the motion to proceed. It 
would be our expectation we could take the bill up tomorrow morning. I 
understand the majority leader has suggested maybe an hour of morning 
business and then we would take up the bill and begin the debate with 
amendments to be offered by colleagues on both sides.
  It is our expectation that we will have an opportunity to offer these 
amendments and get votes, either on or in relation to--that is a 
tabling or an up-or-down vote--on these amendments. But it is also our 
understanding that we will work to finish this bill, as the majority 
leader has described, by I believe it is October 17, which is that 
Friday after we return. I think that gives the Senate adequate time to 
address the bill, to consider amendments. Obviously we need cooperation 
from Senators on both sides of the aisle with regard to the time 
requirements because, as the majority leader noted, there are a number 
of amendments to be offered. The only way we can assure Senators have a 
voice and have the opportunity to be heard is to accommodate all of 
those who wish to offer amendments by limiting some of the time that 
will be required for the debate on these amendments.
  So it is my hope that working through our managers and my 
extraordinary partner, the assistant Democratic leader, we can 
orchestrate the debate with amendments in a way that will accommodate 
this schedule.
  But it is a fair schedule, it is an appropriate schedule, and I think 
we have the basis of experience now from which to draw the confidence 
that we can make this work. We have tried this now on several 
appropriations bills with success without exception. I am hopeful we 
can demonstrate once again that we can be successful in this--I think 
the majority leader used the right phrase--good-faith understanding of 
the way this bill is going to be considered.
  I strongly support the effort and hope we can have the good debate we 
anticipate and expect the cooperation of all Senators as we enter into 
this arrangement.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I will simply close and say it is important 
for our colleagues to understand that the Democratic leader and I and 
our assistant leaders and the managers have all worked very closely to 
come to this understanding, working with good faith as we go forward. I 
appreciate the cooperation on both sides of the aisle in that regard.
  With regard to tomorrow, I do ask unanimous consent that on 
Wednesday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m., the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of the supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq and 
Afghanistan, provided further that it be for debate only until the hour 
of 12:30, and that the time be equally divided until that time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is 
so ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, with that being the case, I think we have a 
good outline and good plan to address this very important issue, where 
the difference in philosophies will be expressed and where we can 
improve where this particular bill needs to be improved.
  With that understanding, I think we could announce no more votes for 
tonight.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________