[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 67 (Thursday, May 13, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AWARDING MEDALS TO SERVICE MEMBERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we don't have anybody from the majority in 
the Chamber. I want to reiterate what I said earlier in the day. We are 
basically in morning business today. There is no legislative business 
on the floor. Senator Bingaman--I am speaking for him and for everyone 
on this side of the aisle--badly wants to do Calendar No. 507, H.R. 
3104 on the Calendar of Business, which is a piece of legislation to 
provide for the establishment of separate campaign medals to be awarded 
to members of the uniformed services who participated in Operation 
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and members of the uniformed services 
who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, of course, in Iraq. I 
cannot imagine why we cannot do this bill, which passed the House 
unanimously.
  I hear on the other side that ``we are trying to clear it.'' What in 
the world does that mean? Is somebody opposing bringing this bill to 
the floor? The problem we have is that the day is winding down. As we 
all know, people have things to do in their States and around the 
country. They are going to be leaving. If we don't get something within 
the next 35 minutes or so, there won't be enough Senators here to allow 
a vote to take place.
  So, again, I say to the majority, why can we not do this piece of 
legislation? It is something Senator Bingaman has worked on for more 
than a year. It is important legislation, something we should do. I am 
terribly disappointed that I am told they are trying to clear it. I 
don't understand what that means. Clear what? Is someone going to vote 
against medals for people who participated in those two theaters of 
war? Is it just because it is Senator Bingaman's idea. I don't know 
what it is. I hope we get real and move forward on this legislation. I 
apologize for making my friends wait.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas is recognized.
  (The remarks of Mr. Pryor pertaining to the submission of S. 2419 are 
printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Bills and Joint 
Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.

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