[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today we will have a 30-minute period of 
morning business which will be equally divided between the aisles. 
After that time we will begin debate on the motion to proceed to the 
USA PATRIOT Act. Last night there was an objection from the Democratic 
side to my unanimous consent request to begin consideration of that 
bill and, because of that objection from the other side of the aisle 
and expected filibuster, I was forced to file cloture on the motion to 
proceed. That motion is debatable, and I will alert my colleagues on 
the other side of the aisle that they will need to remain on the floor 
during this motion.
  We only have a few days remaining before the Presidents Day recess, 
and we need to get to the substance of the underlying bill, the PATRIOT 
Act. Members have a right to filibuster proceeding to that measure, but 
I believe we will be able to invoke cloture by a wide margin, again, 
showing wide support for this important piece of legislation. I will 
announce the exact timing of the cloture vote when we have that locked 
in, but it could be as early as 1 o'clock in the morning when we could 
hold that vote. We will be in discussions with the Democratic leader in 
terms of the time of that vote and we will be able to announce that 
later today.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brownback.) Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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