[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   PROVIDING FOR THE SINE DIE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH 
                        CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 160, submitted 
earlier; that the concurrent resolution be considered and agreed to, 
and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 160) was agreed to, as 
follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 160

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That when the Senate adjourns at the close of 
     business on any day from Wednesday, November 20, 2002 through 
     Saturday, November 23, 2002, or from Monday, November 25, 
     2002 through Wednesday, November 27, 2002, or on a motion 
     offered pursuant to this concurrent resolution by its 
     Majority Leader, or his designee, it stand adjourned sine 
     die, or until Members are notified to reassemble pursuant to 
     section 2 of this concurrent resolution, whichever occurs 
     first; and that when the House of Representatives adjourns on 
     any legislative day through the remainder of the second 
     session of the One Hundred Seventh Congress on a motion 
     offered pursuant to this concurrent resolution by its 
     Majority Leader or his designee, it stand adjourned sine die, 
     or until Members are notified to reassemble pursuant to 
     section 2 of this concurrent resolution, whichever occurs 
     first.
       Sec. 2. The Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker 
     of the House, or their respective designees, acting jointly 
     after consultation with the Minority Leader of the Senate and 
     the Minority Leader of the House, shall notify the Members of 
     the Senate and the House, respectively, to reassemble at such 
     place and time as they may designate whenever, in their 
     opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I oppose this adjournment resolution. 
While I am eager to return home to Maine, there is critical unfinished 
business here in Washington. We should not adjourn prior to passing a 
prescription drug benefit for our seniors as well as legislation to 
remedy inadequate Medicare reimbursements that are jeopardizing the 
viability of our home health agencies, rural hospitals, and nursing 
homes. Cuts in Medicare are also discouraging physicians from accepting 
Medicare patients.
  These health care problems should be solved now, not delayed until 
next year. Medicare reimbursements must be adequate to cover the costs 
borne by health care providers in caring for our seniors and disabled 
citizens. And our elderly have already waited too long for prescription 
drug coverage.
  Finally, we should have given final approval to legislation authored 
by Senators Nelson, Smith, Rockefeller, and myself to increate Medicaid 
rates to provide fiscal relief to the States and to prevent cuts in 
health care for low-income families.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.

                          ____________________