[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that following morning business today the Senate proceed to 
executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 685, the 
nomination of John Negroponte to be Ambassador to Iraq.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Reserving the right to object, and I certainly will not 
object, we hope to work very closely with our Republican friends and 
have a good discussion and debate about the Negroponte nomination. I 
understand there are a number of other Senators who wish to be 
recognized in regard to this nomination.
  Last night, we confirmed two members of the Federal Marine Maritime 
Commission and the nominee for chief executive officer of the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation. We are now going to get the agreement 
on Ambassador Negroponte, and we hope before the end of the day to 
announce an agreement on additional ambassadors who might be confirmed 
yet today as well.
  I hope all of the cooperation that is being demonstrated will allow 
the administration to reciprocate with a number of our nominees to 
various boards and commissions from whom we have yet to hear. So I look 
forward to working through the confirmation of the Negroponte 
nomination today and the ambassadors tonight, and our hope is we can 
get additional cooperation from the administration on our board 
nominees very shortly.
  I have no objection to going forward as the majority leader has now 
proposed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. FRIST. I am pleased we are making progress. The fact that we are 
going to the debate on the future Ambassador of Iraq, Mr. Negroponte, 
demonstrates that we are making some progress. We have a whole series 
of judges who must be addressed, a whole series of nominees who were 
just mentioned who must be addressed, and a whole series of ambassadors 
on whom it sounds as though we are making some progress with the 
Negroponte nomination, as well as what we will see take place later 
during the day.
  I further ask consent that there then be 5 hours 30 minutes equally 
divided between the chairman and ranking member of the Foreign 
Relations Committee; provided further that the minority time be divided 
among the list that is at the desk. I also ask unanimous consent that 
following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to a 
vote on the confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action 
or debate.
  Finally, I ask unanimous consent that following the vote, the 
President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the 
Senate then resume legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Reserving the right to object, I ask the majority leader 
if it is his intention to go back to the FSC bill after we have 
completed this work. I have consulted with the assistant Democratic 
leader. We are now down to four amendments which will only require 1 
hour 35 minutes on our side. We are getting down to a very small 
number. Only 1 hour 35 minutes on four amendments, and we would be 
finished with the bill as far as our side is concerned.

  I ask the majority leader if it is his intention to complete work on 
the FSC bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in response, through the Chair, our 
intention is that as soon as we finish the 5 hours 30 minutes, we go 
back to the FSC/ETI JOBS bill. We have made tremendous progress on the 
bill. I congratulate the managers for their leadership over the course 
of the week. They have done a commendable job in getting the number of 
amendments both down and dealt with. Some have been adopted. Some have 
had votes on them over the course of the week. Our intention is, as 
soon as we finish the Negroponte nomination debate and vote, to go back 
to FSC/ETI. I hope all 5 hours 30 minutes might not be required on the 
Negroponte nomination.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is 
so ordered.
  There is still 6\1/2\ minutes remaining for the Democratic Party. The 
Senator from New Jersey has 5 minutes.
  The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. CORZINE. May I make an inquiry? Are there other of my colleagues 
requesting time?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey is the only one on 
the Democrat side seeking time.

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