[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--S. 82

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, we have been working quite some time now to 
get a final agreement on how to bring up the FAA reauthorization bill. 
This is important legislation. We have tried to extend the time, and 
there has been resistance to that. We have tried to direct a 
conference; there has been resistance to that.
  So it is important we have a couple days to have debate relevant 
amendments and deal with this issue. We are working on both sides of 
the aisle, and I think we have resolved most of the questions. If there 
is any one remaining problem, I would like to flesh it out so we can 
deal with it.
  I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, October 4, it be in order for 
the majority leader to proceed to the consideration of S. 82, the FAA 
reauthorization bill, that the majority and minority managers of the 
bill be authorized to modify the committee amendments and, further, 
that only aviation-related amendments and relevant second-degree 
amendments be in order to the bill.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I will object at this point. I do so only 
because it is my understanding that the junior Senator from New York, 
Mr. Schumer, is still awaiting an answer from the manager of the bill, 
Senator McCain. They have been negotiating now for several days. The 
Senator from New York indicated he hopes that in a matter of hours he 
will hear from Senator McCain's office. As soon as he gets that 
clarification from Senator McCain, I think he will be more than happy 
to agree to this unanimous consent request. I will certainly notify the 
majority leader when that happens. Then it would be my expectation we 
could agree to this unanimous consent request. We have worked through a 
number of other problems and issues Senators have raised.
  I appreciate the cooperation of all Senators, especially those on my 
side of the aisle who have worked with us to get to this point. This is 
an important bill. It needs to be done. I hope it will be done next 
Monday.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. LOTT. I thank the Democratic leader for that response.
  The manager of the bill and the ranking member, Senator McCain and 
Senator Hollings, are really anxious to go forward with this. There is 
an understanding on both sides of the aisle that this is very important 
legislation we have to complete.
  We have worked through problems that Senator Robb had, Senator 
Abraham, a number of Senators who have amendments, but they will be 
able to offer those relevant amendments under this agreement.
  I hope later on today we can lock in this agreement and be on this 
bill then next Monday, and after a reasonable time for debate and 
amendments, surely we can finish it by the close of business on 
Tuesday.
  Also, Mr. President, there had been an indication that some amendment 
might be offered on the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill on an 
unrelated matter but one with which, frankly, we are prepared to go 
forward.

                          ____________________