[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 3 (Thursday, January 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S77-S78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF PROCEDURE

  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that at the conclusion of my 
remarks and the remarks of the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to 
executive session for consideration of Executive Calendar No. 3, Mike 
Johanns, to be Secretary of Agriculture; provided further that there be 
30 minutes of debate under the control of Chairman Chambliss, 15 
minutes under the control of Senator Harkin, and 15 minutes under the 
control of Senator Dayton; provided further that at the conclusion of 
that time the Senate proceed to a vote on the confirmation and 
nomination with no intervening action or debate.
  Finally, I ask that the President then be immediately notified of the 
Senate's action.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? The Democratic 
leader.
  Mr. REID. I ask that the consent be modified to delete the time for 
Senator Harkin and Senator Dayton.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to the modified 
request? Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following 
the vote on the Johanns nomination, the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of Executive Calendar No. 2, Margaret Spellings, to be 
Secretary of Education; provided further that there be 45 minutes of 
debate under the control of Chairman Enzi, 15 minutes under the control 
of Senator Kennedy, 10 minutes under the control of Senator Lautenberg, 
10 minutes under the control of Senator Wyden, and 10 minutes under the 
control of Senator Dodd; provided further that at the conclusion of 
that time the Senate proceed to a vote on the confirmation of the 
nomination with no intervening action or debate.
  Finally, I ask that the President then be immediately notified of the 
Senate's action.
  Mr. REID. I ask that the consent be modified to have Senator Kennedy 
have Senator Lautenberg's time if Senator Lautenberg does not claim it.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to the modified 
consent?

[[Page S78]]

  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask further consent that at 3 p.m. on 
Monday, January 24, the Senate proceed to executive session for the 
consideration of Calendar No. 1, Carlos Gutierrez, to be Secretary of 
Commerce; provided further that there be 2 hours of debate on the 
nomination, 1 hour under the control of Chairman Stevens and 1 hour 
under the control of Senator Dorgan; further, that at the conclusion of 
that time, the Senate proceed to a vote on the confirmation of the 
nomination, with no intervening action or debate.
  Finally, I ask that the President then be immediately notified of the 
Senate's action.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? Without 
objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that today, 
following the confirmation of the Spellings nomination, the Senate 
proceed to the confirmation of Condoleezza Rice to be Secretary of 
State; provided further that there be 2 hours of debate equally divided 
in the usual form, and that following that debate the Senate proceed to 
a vote on the confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action 
or debate.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, we have 
Senators who have been engaged in matters relating to what is going on 
around the world who, for the confirmation of the Secretary of State, 
wish to be able to speak. We have squeezed the time in as closely as we 
could, and we have 4\1/2\ hours we need on our side. This has been 
explained to the Republican leadership.
  We would, of course, be willing to move forward on that tonight and 
tomorrow, but there are the inaugural festivities, and we all 
understand that. It certainly does not seem untoward in any way that 
the Senators have some time to speak before this most important 
nomination, and I say as a matter of passing, at the White House today 
I had a fine conversation with Condoleezza Rice, and she said her main 
goal was to make sure she was confirmed by the time the President gave 
his State of the Union speech because she had a trip scheduled to go 
overseas after that. This confirmation will take place, at the latest, 
sometime Wednesday. So she will be able to make that with a lot of time 
to spare. So I object.

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The objection is heard.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, some of us were just at a luncheon 
where I had a chance to speak with the current Secretary of State who 
is anxious to get back to tinkering with his cars. So he will note that 
objection with some regret.
  As I indicated, we anticipated an objection. Senator Reid had 
indicated there would be a problem on that side for any amount of 
debate we would have today or tomorrow, so therefore I ask that on 
Tuesday, January 25, at a time determined by the majority leader, after 
consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to 
executive session for the consideration of the Rice nomination; 
provided further that during Tuesday's session there be 9 hours of 
debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.
  I further ask consent that when the Senate resumes the nomination on 
Wednesday, January 26, there be an additional 40 minutes of closing 
remarks equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.
  Finally, I ask that following that debate, the Senate proceed to a 
vote on the confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action 
or debate, and that after the vote the President be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. KENNEDY. Reserving the right to object, and I do not intend to 
object, I was wondering if my colleague from Massachusetts, Senator 
Kerry, has any time within that time?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if I could, I ask the consent be modified to 
reflect the speakers for the Democrats at this time: Senator Byrd, 1 
hour; Senator Boxer, 1 hour; Senator Reed of Rhode Island, 30 minutes; 
Senator Durbin, 30 minutes; Senator Kerry, 20 minutes; Senator Levin, 
15 minutes; Senator Kennedy, 15 minutes; Senator Lieberman, 10 minutes; 
Senator Corzine, 10 minutes; Senator Salazar, 10 minutes; Senator 
Feinstein, 10 minutes.
  I would say to all my colleagues, we have only 5 minutes left, so 
there would be no additional time but for the fact that Senator Boxer 
has indicated she likely will not use her whole hour. She is always 
most courteous with other Senators, and she will be happy to give some 
of that time on Tuesday to other Senators, if necessary.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. KENNEDY. I withdraw my reservation.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Does the acting majority whip 
modify that request?
  Mr. REID. I ask to modify that request.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to modifying the 
consent? Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Democratic leader.
  Mr. REID. I apologize to the acting leader. Senator Biden has 
indicated he is going to get 20 minutes, but he is going to speak in 
favor of the nomination. He said he could get that from Senator Lugar.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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