[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--H.R. 2299

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, earlier today I indicated that we had 
hoped we could continue to make progress on the Transportation 
appropriations bill, with some expectation of completing our work in 
the next day or so. That effort has not been as successful as I had 
hoped we could make it. For the last several hours, as our colleagues 
know, we have been attempting to negotiate language on the Mexican 
trucking issue. Our Republican colleagues are in many cases opposed to 
the language that is currently in the bill. It remains a very 
contentious issue.
  I also suggested this afternoon that this is a matter that will 
continue to be the subject of ongoing negotiations and that I would be 
filing cloture tonight. The minority leader has indicated that we would 
not be required to file cloture tonight, even though I want to have the 
vote on cloture on Thursday. So we will ask unanimous consent that when 
we file cloture tomorrow, if it is required, that the vote still occur 
on Thursday. It is my understanding that we are now in a position to 
agree to that unanimous consent request.
  I will not be filing cloture tonight. My hope is that tonight the 
negotiations can continue and that tomorrow we will have additional 
opportunities to see if we can find some way to resolve the matter.
  I ask unanimous consent that should I file cloture on the Murray 
substitute and the bill tomorrow, the cloture vote occur on Thursday, 
as provided under rule XXII, with the mandatory quorum being waived.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Boxer). Is there objection? Without 
objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I remind Senators, if cloture is filed, 
all first-degree amendments must be filed by 1 p.m. on Thursday. I 
would like to announce as well that the negotiations throughout the day 
will necessitate that Senators who may have amendments that may fall 
under cloture offer them in the morning.
  As I understand it, Senator Murray has been working with a number of 
our colleagues. They are planning to offer amendments tomorrow morning. 
There will be a number of amendments offered with rollcalls to 
accompany the debate. We expect rollcall votes tomorrow morning.
  It is also my expectation, if those negotiations are ongoing, that we 
would take advantage of the time available to us.
  I have been discussing with Senator Lott the possibility of taking up 
the Iran Sanctions Act under a time limit that would be offered 
tomorrow sometime during the day. We anticipate spending a relatively 
short period of time thereon. I don't want to spend the entire day 
debating the issue, but it is a matter that has to be resolved prior to 
the time we leave recess as well. I would hope that we could take it 
up.
  I understand there may be one amendment that we may want to consider. 
But that also is an issue that will be addressed tomorrow, if we cannot 
resolve the Mexican trucking matter in an expeditious manner.

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