[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today, we will be in a period of morning 
business for 1 hour. The first half of that time will be under the 
control of the majority leader, with the second half under the control 
of the minority side. Following that period, the Senate will begin 
consideration of H.R. 3104, the Afghanistan/Iraq campaign medals bill. 
Under the agreement, there will be 20 minutes for debate prior to a 
vote on passage of the bill. Senators can, therefore, expect the first 
vote of the day to occur sometime around 11 or 11:15 this morning.
  Following that vote, we will resume the Defense authorization bill. 
We began that bill yesterday and made some progress by disposing of the 
Hutchison amendment regarding cadets and midshipmen. We will continue 
on that bill throughout the day with rollcall votes expected. I have 
mentioned our desire to finish the Defense bill this week, and I hope 
Members will cooperate with the managers of the bill so we may have an 
orderly consideration of amendments. Senators who intend to offer 
amendments should be contacting the chairman and ranking member at this 
time so they may begin scheduling amendments for this week.
  Also, we have a cloture vote scheduled for 2:15 p.m. today on the 
nomination of Marcia Cooke to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern 
District of Florida. There is still hope we can work out an 
understanding as to when we will vote on some of the 32 pending 
judicial nominations and, therefore, there is a chance the cloture vote 
may be vitiated. We will alert all Members if there is a change with 
that vote.
  Also this week we will continue to look for a way to consider and 
complete the bioshield bill. I hope we can pass that important measure 
before we conclude our business this week. The highway bill is another 
one we need to get to conference, and we will find a way to do that if 
at all humanly possible this week. I am reminded daily of the 
importance of this bill and the necessity of going to conference. I was 
talking to our colleague from Missouri, Senator Bond, who again 
underscores the importance of moving this bill forward as soon as 
possible.
  It is going to be a very busy week. As we approach the recess, 
Senators can expect late nights, if necessary, to complete the 
legislative and executive items I have mentioned.

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