[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8840-S8841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--H.R. 4567

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, 
September 8, at 11:30 a.m., the Senate proceed to the consideration of 
Calendar No. 588, H.R. 4567, the Homeland Security appropriations bill; 
provided that all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of 
S. 2537 be inserted in lieu thereof and considered as original text for 
the purpose of further amendment; provided further that no points of 
order be waived by virtue of this agreement. I further ask consent that 
the only first-degree amendments in order be related to the text of the 
bill, homeland security, natural disasters, or Government security 
contracts, and that they be subject to relevant second-degree 
amendments to

[[Page S8841]]

the first degree to which they are offered. Finally, I ask consent that 
following passage of the bill, the Senate insist on its amendment, 
request a conference with the House of Representatives on the 
disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and the Chair be authorized to 
appoint conferees on the part of the Senate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, and I 
certainly will not object, but I wish to clarify the matter pertaining 
to going to conference. I have had a conversation with the majority 
leader, and he has given me his assurance that this would not be used 
as a vehicle for debt limit, and we do not intend for this legislation 
to be a larger omnibus bill. I know some colleagues perhaps on both 
sides of the aisle have expressed that concern. I think we can say with 
confidence that is not the intent.
  It is also my hope that this unanimous consent agreement would be the 
first installment perhaps of a series which would also include a finite 
list, perhaps within the next 24 hours or so, that would give us a 
clear understanding of what these amendments may be. But we would ask 
for cooperation on both sides of the aisle in that there will be plenty 
of opportunities and other circumstances to offer amendments that may 
exceed the bounds of this agreement. But I am real hopeful we can get 
good bipartisan cooperation and complete the work on time.
  But I would ask the majority leader if he could confirm the 
clarification with regard to intent when we go to conference.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this is an extension of a conversation we 
have had. Again, we have been talking over the course of the day as to 
how we can, as quickly as possible, address the Homeland Security 
appropriations bill that the distinguished manager will be talking to 
shortly, sort of introducing what we will be talking about tomorrow.
  Indeed, the Democratic leader is correct. This will not be a vehicle 
either for addressing the debt limit or for an omnibus appropriations 
type bill. We will work together on this very important bill to 
efficiently, effectively, and deliberately consider amendments that are 
appropriate for homeland security and then bring this to closure after 
appropriate debate and amendment. His understanding is correct.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Talent). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Homeland Security appropriations 
legislation is the bill that we will be going to first thing tomorrow. 
It is a bill that is important. It is a bill that we need to address 
for the safety and security of the American people. I am very hopeful 
we can address both concerns and debate the amendments in an 
expeditious way so we can complete the bill and get it to the President 
as soon as possible.
  With that, I will yield the floor. I know the distinguished Senator 
from Mississippi is going to want to make some comments at some point 
as well.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are in morning business.
  Mr. DODD. I thank the Chair.

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