[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S14077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2003

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the 
Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., 
Thursday, November 6. I further ask consent that following the prayer 
and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of 
proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be 
reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then begin a 
period of morning business for 60 minutes, with the first 30 minutes 
under the control of the minority leader or his designee, and the 
second 30 minutes under the control of Senator Hutchison or her 
designee; provided that following morning business, the Senate proceed 
to executive session and the consideration of Calendar No. 310, the 
nomination of William Pryor, to be U.S. circuit judge for the Eleventh 
Circuit, and that there then be 60 minutes equally divided for debate 
on the nomination prior to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The assistant Democratic leader.
  Mr. REID. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Let me just say, very briefly, we have been told that next Wednesday 
the majority leader is going to move to a period of time where the 
majority will come and talk for some 30 hours about how the judges that 
have been recommended by President Bush have been treated.
  I would say, I cannot possibly imagine why in the world we would take 
the time of this body at such an important time in the history of this 
country. On this side of the aisle, we have bent over backwards to 
cooperate on appropriations bills. We have cajoled, begged members on 
our side not to offer controversial amendments. On any one of these 
appropriations bills, there can be all kinds of things offered. Maybe 
they would be deemed not appropriate procedurally, but certainly a 
debate could be had and they would have to be disposed of by a vote. 
But we wanted to work for what we thought was the betterment of this 
body and this country.
  We agreed, without any reservation or hesitation, to be in next 
Monday and Tuesday, Tuesday being a legal holiday. And when we are told 
that the sacrifices made to move this matter along are going to, in 
effect, play second fiddle to two legislative days; that is, 30 hours 
talking about judges, keep in mind we have done a pretty remarkably 
good job on these judges.
  We have approved 168 judges; we have turned down 4--168 to 4. We have 
the lowest vacancy rate of the Federal judiciary in some 15 years.
  So I say--and not in any way as criticism other than constructive 
criticism--I cannot imagine how the majority would allow this to 
happen. We are aware of this. And as my friend, the distinguished 
Senator from Utah knows, we work very hard to try to make things as 
convenient for Members as possible. But, keep in mind, recognizing how 
we can work to make things easy on Members, we can also work to make 
things hard on Members.
  If this is going to be done, there has to be some reasonable response 
to it. You cannot be slapped around forever. We believe in turning our 
cheeks, and we have done it. Our cheeks have been turned and both sides 
slapped and we still move forward. But I think this is the ultimate. I 
think we have taken about as much as we are going to take.

  I say to everyone within the sound of my voice, this is not to 
threaten, but just to make people understand that there is going to 
have to be some appropriate action taken if this is going to happen. We 
have been told it is going to happen by the highest authorities on the 
majority side. We have asked that it not happen. We have been told it 
is going to happen. I think it is too bad for our Nation.
  I have no objection to the unanimous consent request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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