[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 130 (Thursday, November 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, we have had a flurry of phone calls and 
consultations this morning about the dispute that has gone on over the 
last several days about getting to the agriculture appropriations bill 
so we might consider disaster relief for farmers and ranchers hard hit 
by drought across the country, the third worst drought in our Nation's 
history.
  My understanding of the agreement is that we will go to the India 
nuclear matter but that at some time today we will turn our attention 
to the agriculture appropriations bill and I will have the chance to 
offer the first amendment to that bill. Is that a correct understanding 
of the agreement that has been entered?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct in that under the 
unanimous consent entered into earlier we will move to the United 
States-India legislation, after which the agriculture appropriations 
bill will be taken up. It provides under that agreement for Senator 
Conrad to be recognized in order to offer a first-degree amendment 
following the statement of the chairman.
  Mr. CONRAD. Very good. That is my understanding. I appreciate the 
Chair confirming that.
  There are 26 cosponsors of the legislation. It is wholly bipartisan--
many Republicans and many Democrats. I want to alert my colleagues that 
at some point we will go to this issue today. It is not specified when, 
as I understand it. Is that correct?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
  Mr. CONRAD. It is specified that sometime today we will go to it, and 
after statements of the Chair and ranking member I will be given an 
opportunity to offer an amendment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. CONRAD. I thank the Chair and yield the floor. 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. LUGAR. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Indiana.

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