[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 44 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S3520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. With that, Mr. President, this morning there will be a 
period of morning business for up to 60 minutes, and that morning 
business will be followed by an additional 60 minutes of debate with 
regard to the cloture motion with respect to the welfare 
reauthorization bill. At the conclusion of that 60 minutes of debate 
time, we will proceed to a rollcall vote on invoking cloture on the 
committee substitute to H.R. 4. That is the welfare legislation.
  As I stated in closing last night, if we invoke cloture on this bill, 
I hope we will be able to finish it this week. Over the last few days I 
had hoped we could reach an agreement to finish the bill in reasonable 
fashion, but because we were unable to reach a formal consent 
agreement, we will go forward with the procedural vote in hopes of 
bringing this bill to a conclusion. If we do invoke cloture, Senators 
will still be able to bring forward their amendments, and I believe we 
could finish the bill this week.
  If cloture is not invoked, it will be clear that this legislation 
will be gridlocked by these unrelated matters and therefore will be 
difficult to finish.
  We also continue to seek ways to finish and complete the JOBS bill, 
the FSC/ETI bill from last week. That bill has been held up as Members 
insist on offering amendments that have little to do with the 
underlying legislation.
  Additional procedural votes will occur in relation to that bill as we 
try to find a way to get the FSC bill done.


                           Order of Procedure

  Mr. President, in order to facilitate the use of our time this 
morning, I ask unanimous consent that during the period for morning 
business the Republican-controlled time be divided in the following 
manner: Senator Cornyn, 5 minutes; Senator Ensign, 5 minutes; Senator 
Thomas, 5 minutes; Senator Smith, 10 minutes; Senator Cochran, 5 
minutes.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I have a few comments to make in terms of 
an opening statement. I will be happy to turn to the Democratic leader.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I also have a statement I will make, but 
as I understand it, the first hour will be divided equally between the 
Republicans and Democrats. Is it my understanding the second one will 
also be divided equally in time?
  Mr. FRIST. Debate for reauthorization.
  Mr. DASCHLE. That is debate on the cloture vote itself?
  Mr. FRIST. On cloture.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I say I will make further comments after the 
distinguished majority leader has made his.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader.

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