[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 25472]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. SESSIONS. On behalf of the majority leader, I note that today the 
Senate will be in a period of morning business until 7 p.m., with 
Senators Domenici and Reid in control of the time. A vote on a 
continuing resolution that funds the Government until tomorrow morning 
will occur at 7 p.m. Senators should be aware that votes on continuing 
resolutions are expected each day. Senators should also be aware that 
multiple votes could occur each day starting tomorrow. Negotiations are 
ongoing, and it is still hoped that agreements can be made to wrap up 
the 106th Congress prior to the elections.
  I thank my colleagues for their attention.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if I could ask a question of the acting 
majority leader.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. I thank the Chair. I am wondering if the Senator from 
Alabama would check with the majority leader to give us some idea of 
when he is planning to come in tomorrow; he is planing multiple votes. 
Numerous people have been calling and asking about that today.
  Mr. SESSIONS. What I understand is this, that the majority leader has 
made this proposal to the Democratic leader which has not been accepted 
as of yet; that he would ask unanimous consent we stand in recess when 
we complete our business today until 5 p.m. Tuesday, and that the time 
between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. be a period for morning business with the 
time equally divided, and that at 7 p.m. the Senate proceed to consider 
the 1-day continuing resolution and a vote occur immediately on the 
resolution when it is received from the House without amendments, 
debate, or motions in order. That will be the proposal at this point, 
as I understand it. But I am sure the majority leader would be open to 
improvements.
  Mr. REID. Well, I say to my friend, I guess the good news is that 
ultimately there will have to be an end to the 106th Congress because 
the calendar is going to run out eventually. I hope we will see fit to 
maybe wrap up the work we have.
  As you know, there has been tremendous work on Labor-HHS during the 
past 24 hours. Early this morning we thought we had an agreement worked 
out. As you know, my counterpart in the House on the Republican side, I 
understand, threw what we refer to as a monkey wrench into the proposed 
workout of the Labor-HHS bill which now, it is my understanding, is in 
further negotiations.
  Time is really working very fast against us. As you know, we have 
sent a number of bills to the President. He is going to have to make a 
decision on those bills, whether he is going to veto them or sign them.
  I know the majority leader is aware of all the problems that this 
Congress faces, but I hope that we exert any influence any of us have 
to try to work out this Labor-HHS bill. I think if that were worked 
out, we could probably resolve the other issues, or at least I hope so. 
There are a few other issues such as assisted suicide and immigration 
that would still be outstanding, but hopefully we could resolve those 
if we got this big final spending bill done.
  Mr. SESSIONS. I am sure the majority leader would work toward that 
end. I know it has been his goal since this Congress began to move the 
appropriations bills to not find us at this point. Frankly, I am 
sympathetic with the fact that he has tried to do that and has been 
frustrated time and again. I think some people wanted us to end up in 
this very position, and they got their wish. And as far as I am 
concerned, we can stay here until January 1 or December 31 to do our 
business. Wiser people will decide that.
  Mr. REID. You don't mind if we take at least a day or two for 
Thanksgiving and Christmas, do you?
  Mr. SESSIONS. I do prefer to take off Christmas. But we have a high 
duty to do our work and do it right.
  I thank the Senator for his comments, and I note that he desires, and 
I do, that we reach an accord.
  I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sessions). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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