[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3735-S3736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning there will be a period of 
morning business until 11 a.m. Following morning business, the Senate 
will then resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2207, the 
Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act of 2004.
  I remind my colleagues, on Friday of this past week I asked for 
consent to proceed to S. 2207 to allow us to begin debate on this 
important medical liability issue, an issue which addresses a crisis 
which affects us all. There was an objection from the other side and it 
was necessary to file a cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the 
pregnancy and trauma care bill. Under the order, that vote will occur 
at 2:15 tomorrow afternoon. Members will debate that motion and the 
merits of this underlying medical liability legislation throughout the 
day today. I do hope we are able to invoke cloture Wednesday afternoon 
so we may proceed to this very important measure.
  I also remind Senators yesterday it became necessary for me to file a 
second cloture motion with respect to the JOBS bill, the bill known as 
the FSC/ETI, or the Jumpstart JOBS bill. Consideration of this timely 
measure--timely because sanctions right now are in effect and the 
sanctions are affecting U.S. companies every day--consideration of this 
timely measure has been slowed because of unrelated amendments, 
amendments that have nothing to do with these manufacturing jobs and 
trade issues.
  I have had a number of discussions with the two managers of the bill 
in an effort to finish the bill in a reasonable amount of time with a 
reasonable number of amendments, but we have been unable to reach an 
agreement today. Due to the desire to offer these unrelated amendments 
not relevant to the bill, and with no end to the number of amendments 
in sight, it became necessary for this second cloture vote.
  I now ask consent that the vote on cloture on the motion to recommit 
occur tomorrow afternoon following the 2:15 vote, regardless of the 
provisions of rule XXII.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

[[Page S3736]]

  Mr. FRIST. Yesterday, I also mentioned the need to act on the pension 
equity conference report. We would like to lock in agreement for a 
short period of debate and a vote on the conference report prior to the 
end of this week. An important piece of legislation, the pension bill 
had gone to conference; it has come out of conference; it is ready for 
floor action. I know there are objections to this on the Democratic 
side at this time. However, I hope we will be able to reach a time 
agreement this week on this timely conference report as well.
  Mr. President, as we look at the medical malpractice and medical 
liability bill, as we look at FSC/ETI or the JOBS bill, as we look at 
the pension equity conference report, we have a lot to do over the next 
4 days. We have a short amount of time to do it. It is important we 
stay focused on these important bills for the American people.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________