[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1086

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to 
be determined by the majority leader, following consultation with the 
Democratic leader, but no later than May 25, 2006, the Senate proceed 
to the consideration of Calender No. 251, S. 1086, and that it be 
considered under the following limitations:
  That there be 1 hour of debate on the bill, with the time equally 
divided and controlled by the two leaders or their designees; the only 
amendment in order, other than the committee-reported substitute 
amendment, be a Kennedy-Smith hate crimes amendment on which there will 
be 2 hours of debate with the time equally divided and controlled in 
the usual form; that upon the use or yielding back of time on the 
amendment, without further intervening action or debate, the Senate 
proceed to vote in relation to the amendment; that upon disposition of 
the Kennedy-Smith amendment and the yielding back of time on the bill, 
the committee substitute, as amended, if amended, be agreed to; the 
bill, as amended, be read a third time, and without further intervening 
action or debate, the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. In my capacity as a Senator from Minnesota, at 
the request of leadership, I object.
  Objection is heard.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I regret that the Republican leadership 
has blocked our efforts to have a vote on this amendment. I expect that 
they will move forward on the immediate passage of the underlying bill. 
We should also get a vote on hate crimes. It is long overdue. It is 
clear that the Republican leadership will do anything to stop our hate 
crimes bill. I don't think it is right to delay consideration of the 
Senate bill on sex offenders, so the battle on hate crimes must 
continue. Given today's objections, let's move ahead on S. 1086.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________