[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 72 (Thursday, May 3, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S5525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today, following any time that may be used 
by the leaders, there will be 60 minutes of debate on the motion to 
invoke cloture on the Dorgan drug reimportation amendment, with the 
time divided between Senators Dorgan and the Republican leader or his 
designee. The vote then will occur around 10:30 or a few minutes after 
that this morning. Members who have second-degree amendments to the 
Dorgan amendment must file them by 10 this morning. A number of other 
amendments are still pending, and today will be a busy day, with votes 
occurring throughout the day.
  Another issue which will need the Senate's attention will be the 
conference on the budget resolution. The House is going to act either 
today or Monday appointing conferees, which will mean we will act 
shortly thereafter. The chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator 
Conrad, and the ranking member, Senator Gregg, have had initial 
conversations about the likelihood of there being motions to instruct 
the conferees.
  Under the Budget Act, there is a maximum of 10 hours of debate to get 
to conference. I would hope the two managers of that budget resolution, 
Senators Conrad and Gregg, can make a determination as to how many 
motions to instruct there will be to give some idea. As I understand 
the rule, we have 10 hours of debate no matter what. If there are 
motions to instruct that have been filed and not enough time to debate 
them, the votes will take place with no debate. I hope there will be 
adequate time to debate whatever motions to instruct and basic 
conversation about that most important budget resolution that we need 
to complete so we can get to the appropriations bills. I will be 
discussing this matter with the Republican leader and may have more to 
say during the day.
  If there is a lull in the schedule today, we have a number of judges 
we can vote on. We may do that. Senators Kennedy and Enzi have done a 
masterful job in moving this matter along. We hope they will continue 
their masterful work and complete this legislation.
  I do say, as I have said, but it is worth repeating, Senator Enzi and 
Senator Kennedy, some would say, are not a matched pair. They have 
different political philosophies, they come from different parts of the 
country. But that is really what the Senate is all about. They have set 
an example of how individual Senators can work together. They are 
really exemplary, as far as I am concerned, in being able to move a 
very difficult, complicated piece of legislation by understanding that 
this is not the last word. There is going to be a conference. Senator 
Kennedy has told Senator Enzi that he would be a part of that 
conference. They trust each other. That is important. We finished the 
competition bill last week. This is another step forward. I hope we can 
complete this bill today.

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