[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, first of all, we have a unanimous consent 
agreement that has taken a lot of work. I appreciate the work of the 
two managers, Senator Feinstein and Senator Alexander. It is not easy, 
but this is an important piece of legislation. I think it is good for 
the body.
  I heard my friend--I will be real quick; I know we are in a hurry--
commenting on the dinner we had last night. I think that was such a 
timely, fortuitous event we had with Senators getting together to, in 
effect, cut the ribbon on this wonderful picture out there, 147 years 
old.
  I did not know much about Henry Clay other than he is a famous man 
but a great compromiser. He said everything legislatively you need to 
develop a consensus. Legislation is the art of compromise. This is a 
smaller piece; it is not Henry Clay stuff, but it is good stuff. I 
appreciate the two managers following in the footsteps of Henry Clay 
and we were able to work this out.
  I ask unanimous consent that the following be the only first-degree 
amendments and an Ensign motion to recommit, other than the pending 
amendments, remaining in order to H.R. 2996, Interior appropriations; 
and that no second-degree amendments be in order to any of the listed 
amendments prior to a vote in relation to the amendment, except as 
noted with respect to Coburn amendment No. 2511; that a managers' 
amendment also be in order that has been cleared by the managers and 
the leaders, and that if that amendment is offered, then the vote on 
adoption of the amendment occur immediately; and that if agreed to, 
then the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the 
table:
  Carper No. 2456, pending, to be withdrawn once a managers' amendment 
has been agreed to; Collins No. 2498, pending; Isakson No. 2504, as 
modified, pending; Vitter No. 2549; Ensign motion to recommit; Coburn 
amendment Nos. 2482, 2463, 2480, 2523, 2466, 2483, 2468, and 2511, with 
a Feinstein second-degree amendment in order to No. 2511; Feingold No. 
2522, to be withdrawn upon the adoption of the managers' amendment; 
Reid No. 2531; Bingaman No. 2493, with a modification; further, that 
during the consideration of the bill, Senators Murkowski and Thune each 
be provided up to 30 minutes, and Senator Boxer for up to 60 minutes 
for debate only; that upon disposition of all amendments and the motion 
to recommit, the substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that 
the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and the Senate then proceed 
to vote on passage of the bill; that upon passage, the Senate insist on 
its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing 
votes of the two Houses, and that the Chair be authorized to appoint 
conferees on the part of the Senate, and that the subcommittee plus 
Senators Inouye and Bond be appointed as conferees; further, that if a 
point of order is raised against the substitute amendment, then it be 
in order for another substitute amendment to be offered minus the 
offending provisions but including any amendments which had been agreed 
to prior to the point of order; that no further amendments be in order; 
that the new substitute amendment be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that the 
remaining provisions beyond adoption of the substitute amendment remain 
in effect; that if there is a sequence of votes, then after the first 
vote, the succeeding votes be limited to 10 minutes each and that there 
be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote, equally divided and 
controlled in the usual form; that once this agreement is entered, the 
cloture motions be withdrawn.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________