[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               RECOGNITION OF THE ACTING MINORITY LEADER

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Nevada is 
recognized.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, as we discussed yesterday on the floor, 
there is a need to do appropriations bills. As the leader knows, he has 
spoken to the Democratic leader and there is an opportunity I believe 
in the next week or so to move a couple of appropriations bills. If 
there is anything we can do to narrow the size of the omnibus package, 
the country will be well served. I hope the distinguished Senator from 
Tennessee will continue to work to see if we can move some of these 
appropriations bills.
  As has been indicated, I think we can do that with a reasonable 
number of amendments and in a reasonable period of time. It would 
surely be helpful to the country.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in response, through the Chair, the 
appropriations bills are critical and we continue to work aggressively. 
I am in wholehearted agreement. Bringing these bills to the floor one 
by one is a much preferred route to take. We continue to work 
aggressively in that regard.

                          ____________________