[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 10 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                PROGRAM

  Mr. ALEXANDER. On behalf of the leader, for the information of all 
Senators, tomorrow, at 10:30 a.m., the Senate will begin consideration 
of S. 1072, the highway bill. The bill managers will be here at 10:30 
tomorrow morning, ready to work through opening statements and to begin 
the amendment process. Votes are possible during tomorrow's session.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if my friend will yield, the opening 
statements have been pretty well completed. Senator Inhofe has given 
one, I have given one, Senator Jeffords has given one, and Senator 
Bond. We are the ones moving this bill through the Senate.
  I hope everyone within the sound of our voices will understand, if 
people have statements that should be given on the bill, they should 
come forward and give them. Otherwise, I hope those with amendments can 
come forward and offer amendments.
  I say to the Senate that we have a relatively short period of time to 
finish this bill. It is a very big bill, $255 billion, but the majority 
leader and the minority leader have indicated that we have only this 
week and next week to complete this most important legislation.
  I say through the Chair to the distinguished acting majority leader, 
formerly Governor of one of the very big States population-wise in our 
country, Tennessee--a Governor understands more than anyone else, I 
believe, the importance of these highway moneys and what they mean to a 
State--if we don't finish this now and have to go to another year-long 
bill, it totally interferes with the ability of the highway planners to 
do their work.
  I hope everyone understands that we have just a short period of time 
to complete this bill and that everyone will come forward if they have 
some problems with the bill, and if they want to change it some way, 
they can move on it as quickly as possible.

                          ____________________