[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning there will be a period of 
morning business for 2 hours, until 11:30 a.m., for Senators to speak 
and introduce bills.
  Today, we expect to receive from the House a continuing resolution. 
It is my hope that we will be able to take up that measure and pass it 
in short order. We also hope to have the committee resolutions 
completed so that we can get the committees up and running so they can 
all begin their work for the 108th Congress.
  Yesterday, the Republican conference approved our membership and, 
therefore, we would like to have the respective party committee 
resolutions passed today if at all possible.
  Over the course of the morning we will be talking leadership to 
leadership to establish a timetable, but hopefully that can be done 
today in terms of the committee composition and chairmanships.
  Senators should know that rollcall votes are possible today. We will 
let Senators know the timing of votes as soon as they are scheduled. 
Also, Senators should be aware that if we are unable to complete our 
work today, there could be rollcall votes on Friday.
  I yield the floor.
  (Mr. ALEXANDER assumed the chair.)
  Mr. STEVENS. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. FRIST. Yes.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, if that resolution is agreed to today, I 
would like to have a meeting of the Appropriations Committee tomorrow 
morning at 10 o'clock.
  Mr. FRIST. I understand. It is absolutely critical that we finish 
much of the business from last year. There are 11 appropriations bills 
that are very dependent on us having the committee resolutions passed. 
Hopefully that can be done as soon as possible. We made real progress 
yesterday. I am very hopeful, over the course of today, we can come to 
some conclusion with that, and then we would be able to have the 
appropriations meetings and be able to address the spending bills--11 
of those spending bills that are critically important to this country--
over the course of Friday and next week.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, before the majority leader leaves, as the 
leader knows, we had a very productive meeting with the President 
yesterday. We left there with the feeling of bipartisanship that we 
should have with us today. We would hope, with the chairman of the very 
important Appropriations Committee, the President pro tempore of the 
Senate, being on the floor today, that we can make it possible so he 
and Senator Byrd can lead us in completing that appropriations process.
  So we look forward to working with you. Hopefully, we can get this 
done in the near future.

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