[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 10 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S335-S336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period of 
morning business until 2 p.m. At this juncture, I ask unanimous consent 
that we extend morning business, with the time equally divided, until 3 
p.m. today.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. At 3 p.m. the Senate will resume consideration of the 
motion to proceed to S. 1072, the highway funding bill. Last week we 
attempted to reach a consent agreement to begin consideration of the 
highway bill today. Unfortunately, there was an objection to 
proceeding; therefore, I filed cloture on the motion to proceed. That 
cloture vote will occur at 5:45 p.m. today. I hope cloture will be 
invoked and the Senate will be able to begin consideration of this 
important bill this evening. This is a major piece of legislation which 
will not only secure America's infrastructure but also create jobs. 
There will be a lot of discussion and debate. I anticipate that this 
bill will take both this week and next week--that is the next 2 weeks--
to complete.
  Having said that, we need to begin the debate and allow the Senate to 
work its will on the amendments offered. Several of the committees are 
continuing their efforts on their respective pieces of this highway 
bill today and tomorrow, but that should not delay us from beginning to 
consider this important measure. As I have said, there will be adequate 
time to consider this bill on the floor, and Members will have the 
opportunity to offer amendments.
  On another subject, last week the Senate passed the pension rate 
reform bill by a large bipartisan vote of 86 to 9. The vote in the 
House on their version of the bill was 397 to 2. Now it is time for us 
to appoint conferees and to go to conference to reconcile the 
differences. The Senate bill has been passed. The House bill has been 
passed.

[[Page S336]]

Now we want to appoint conferees so we can go to conference and 
reconcile those differences.
  Unfortunately, there has been an objection on the other side of the 
aisle to proceeding. I again urge the Democratic leadership to allow us 
to appoint conferees so we can begin the process. The large bipartisan 
vote on passage of this legislation in this body as well as in the 
House indicates we are all willing to work together, and I hope we can 
continue and progress toward a conference of agreement.
  On another note, I remind my colleagues that on Wednesday of this 
week, President Aznar of Spain will address a joint meeting of 
Congress. President Aznar will begin his speech at 11 a.m. Therefore, 
Members are asked to gather in the Senate Chamber at 10:40 so that we 
may leave as a body for the House Chamber to hear that address.

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