[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 36 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2936-S2937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the 
Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:45 a.m. 
tomorrow, Tuesday, March 23. I further ask unanimous 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 until 11 a.m. with the majority 
leader or his designee in control of the first half of the time and the 
Democratic leader or his designee in control of the remaining time; 
provided that at 11 a.m. the Senate resume consideration of S. 1637, 
the JOBS bill; provided further that Senator Grassley be recognized at 
that time.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess from 12:30 
p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party luncheons.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, on this side 
we believe we are entitled to an up-or-down vote regarding the most 
important issue facing many Americans; that is, overtime. I just 
returned from our recess when I met with the fire and police personnel 
in the State of Nevada. They all brought this up. We know there is an 
effort not to have a vote, the reason being this amendment will pass. 
When the Harkin amendment is offered and there is a vote on it, it will 
pass. The majority doesn't want to vote on this because it is 
embarrassing to the President who has no support from the American 
people on this overtime issue.
  Also, we have other amendments--not many but a few amendments--one 
dealing with China. Senator Schumer has wanted to offer an amendment 
for a long time on this bill dealing with international trade, among 
other things.
  Also, there is an amendment my friend, the distinguished senior 
Senator from Illinois, is going to speak on dealing with a tax credit 
for insurance premiums and medical malpractice. I support my friend 
from Illinois on this issue. It would not solve the medical malpractice 
issue, but it is something the physicians in this country approved, and 
it is the right thing to do. It would help alleviate some of the 
medical malpractice pressure we have around the country.
  I say to my friend through the Chair, I can't guarantee cloture will 
not be invoked, but I think it is very doubtful cloture will be 
invoked.
  I want the Record to reflect that on this side we are not trying to 
amend this bill to death. We have a handful of amendments, and we will 
agree to a list of finite amendments. That has been explained to the 
two managers.
  The way things are headed, this bill is going to go down, and it is 
not good for the country.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. No objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me say in response to my good 
friend from Nevada, as he knows full well, we have already voted on 
this once. We voted on it last year. Having continuing votes on the 
same subject strikes some Members in the Senate, on this side of the 
aisle, as not exactly the best way to move forward. But even if it is 
insisted by the other side that we have repetitious votes on the same 
issue, I say to my friend from Nevada there will be other authorizing 
bills coming along shortly after the JOBS bill which will be open to 
such amendments, and this underlying bill happens to be one I believe 
Senators on both sides of the aisle think needs to pass. In fact, the 
imposition of penalties against U.S. companies has already begun--my 
understanding is March 1.
  I think we all understand the need to pass this bill to prevent the 
escalation of those penalties against U.S. business here in the coming 
months.
  If there were not another opportunity, I say to my good friend from 
Nevada, to have further repetitious votes on the same issue, I might 
understand it. But there will be other authorizing bills coming up 
shortly that will give the other side an opportunity to offer and 
insist on more votes on the very same subject.
  I hope cloture will be invoked. The right of the minority is still 
there to offer these nongermane or irrelevant amendments on other 
authorizing bills that will be coming along very shortly.

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