[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ORDERS FOR MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, on behalf of the leader, I ask unanimous 
consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn 
until 12 noon on Monday, May 17; I further ask 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 2:30 p.m., with the time equally 
divided between the two leaders or their designees; provided that at 
2:30 p.m., the Senate begin consideration of Calendar No. 503, S. 2400, 
the Department of Defense authorization bill, as provided under the 
previous order.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I will not object, but I do want to make a 
statement before the Senate adjourns for the day. The two leaders have 
been working the last several days to come up with some way to dispose 
of judges who are on the Executive Calendar. We believe we have done a 
credible job as a Senate. We have approved 173 judges. There have been 
five turned down by the minority. We now have the lowest vacancy rate 
in some 14 years.
  There are two problems with going forward. Of course, I don't think 
it is any secret President Bush has defied the Senate with recess 
appointments. So we have to have some finality there as to what he is 
going to do in the future. The other problem is the judges we voted on 
multiple times before. There has to be some consideration to those 
issues and how we deal with them. I think with the conversations going 
on between the two leaders we should be able to do that. I am confident 
and hopeful we will not need the cloture vote set for Tuesday.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. KYL. I thank the Senator from Nevada.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________