[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13699-S13700]
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 speak for up to 10 minutes each. 
As I announced last night, there will be no rollcall votes during 
today's session.
  Last evening, after a lengthy session with 14 rollcall votes, we were 
able to finish work on a number of items. We were able to pass the 
Healthy Forests bill as well as complete action last night on the 
Foreign Operations appropriations bill. We were also able to reach 
agreements on a number of other important matters, including the Iraq-
Afghanistan supplemental, the Interior appropriations conference 
report, the continuing resolution, as well as the Internet tax 
moratorium legislation.
  Earlier in the day, the Senate considered the climate change bill and 
failed to invoke cloture on the nomination of Charles Pickering.
  As a reminder, the next vote will occur on Monday at some point, most 
likely between 5:30 and 6 o'clock. That vote will be on the adoption of 
the conference report to accompany the Interior appropriations. Also on 
Monday, the Senate will consider the Iraq supplemental conference 
report; however, that conference report will be completed without a 
rollcall vote.
  I also remind my colleagues that earlier in the week we reached a 
consent on a fair credit reporting bill. I expect the Senate would turn 
to that measure on Tuesday.
  I mentioned a few moments ago the Internet tax moratorium bill. What 
we agreed to last night was that we would address that bill next week, 
and as part of that agreement, that we would not address it prior to 
Thursday. With the current extension expiring, it was my hope that the 
Senate could have finished that bill last night or today, prior to that 
deadline, but a few Members have raised concerns and desire amendments. 
Thus, it will be our intent to finish that bill at the end of next 
week, rather than this week. The agreement, again, will lead us to turn 
to that on Thursday, and I expect, after giving Senators the 
opportunity to offer, hopefully, relevant amendments, that we would 
move that bill toward passage on either Thursday or Friday.
  Another item that will demand the Senate's attention next week is the 
Syria accountability bill. Senator Santorum has been working on getting 
that measure cleared, and we hope to schedule that vote very early next 
week.
  Finally, I add we will continue to consider the available 
appropriations conference reports as they become available.
  Having said all that, you can see that next week is shaping up to be 
another very active week of floor action. With Members' continued 
cooperation, we can finish our business and still adjourn at the 
earliest opportunity this year. I do thank Members for their 
cooperation and participation in allowing

[[Page S13700]]

us to proceed with the business of the Senate.

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