[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                PROGRAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Today, the Senate completed action on the Labor-HHS-
Education appropriations bill, a splendid job by Senator Specter and 
Senator Harkin in moving the bill along. That is the fastest I can 
recall that measure clearing the Senate, certainly in recent years.
  As the majority leader announced earlier today, we will be in session 
tomorrow, but there will not be any votes. We will not have any votes 
during Monday's session. So Senators should expect a busy week as we 
consider the deficit reduction omnibus reconciliation bill.
  In that regard, I ask unanimous consent that at 4 p.m. on Monday, 
October 31, the Senate proceed to S. 1932, the 2005 deficit reduction 
bill, and it be considered under the following statutory time 
agreement, with time divided as follows: The first hour on Monday under 
the control of the chairman of the Budget Committee; provided further 
that the Senate then resume the bill on Tuesday, November 1, at 9 a.m., 
with the time until 8 divided between the chairman and ranking member, 
with 4\1/2\ hours under the control of the chairman and 5\1/2\ hours 
under the control of the ranking member; provided further that the 
Senate recess from 12:30 to 2 for the weekly policy luncheons; provided 
that any votes ordered on Tuesday be postponed to occur at a time 
determined by the leader after consultation with the Democratic leader.
  I further ask consent that the Senate then resume the bill on 
Wednesday, November 2, with the time from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. equally 
divided between the chairman and ranking member; provided further that 
at 6 p.m. on Wednesday all time be considered expired.
  Before the Chair rules, it is my understanding that Senators Gregg 
and Conrad have agreed that we will have 1 hour of debate on Monday. We 
will then resume the deficit reduction measure on Tuesday, with debate 
until 8. Any votes ordered on Tuesday would be stacked to occur at a 
later time. We would then resume the bill on Wednesday, with all time 
expired at 6 p.m.
  The Budget Act allows for amendments to be offered and voted on 
beyond the statutory time limit, the so-called vote-arama that we look 
forward to every year. I would hope that we would not have a vote-
arama, but understanding that Members will offer amendments after the 
expiration of time, we would begin those sequenced votes on Thursday.
  We will proceed until complete, and we all hope that will be a short 
time thereafter.
  In any event, we would stop in the late afternoon on Thursday and 
resume on Friday if, and only if, that becomes necessary.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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