[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 519]
[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, as just mentioned, until the hour of 10:30 a.m., with 
the time equally divided and Senators permitted to speak and to 
introduce bills.
  Shortly, I expect to have an agreement to allow us to go forward on 
the committee resolutions.
  Following completion of the committee resolutions, we will turn to 
the appropriations bill. I understand amendments will be offered to 
that measure, and therefore Members should expect votes throughout the 
day today. If the committee resolutions take a little longer than 
expected--although, again, I anticipate us bringing those committee 
resolutions to a close shortly--it is my hope to begin consideration of 
the appropriations bill in the interim, until we can reach a final 
agreement on the two committee membership resolutions.
  For the remainder of the week, if the Senate makes substantial 
progress on the appropriations bill each day--and I should add it is 
going to take a lot of focus and a lot of discipline to address these 
appropriations bills today, tonight, tomorrow, tomorrow night, and 
throughout this week--it is still possible that we could finish this 
week. If we are able to finish our business this week, then we will 
proceed with the recess next week as originally planned. But, as I have 
said before, if these items are not completed this week, we will resume 
the legislative session next Tuesday and remain in session until those 
items are completed.
  I thank all Members in advance for their cooperation. I had the 
opportunity to talk to the Democratic leader last night after we 
closed, and I think, once again, we are making substantial progress in 
addressing the issues before us, in terms of organization as well as 
the Nation's business as we address the appropriations bills.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brownback). The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. While the majority leader is on the floor, as a matter of 
housekeeping, we have a number of Senators who wish to speak for at 
least a half an hour. I am wondering if it would be OK with the 
majority leader if we gave actually 30 minutes on each side to speak as 
in morning business, to take us a little past the 10:30 hour. Does the 
majority leader see any problem with that?
  Mr. FRIST. I think that would be fine.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent we do that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. I say to the majority leader, the Democratic leader even 
this morning indicated that he was extremely hopeful and confident we 
could work something out on an organizing resolution. Senator Stevens 
was here this morning. I know he wants to move forward on the 
appropriations, and we do, too. We hope we can complete the work the 
leader has outlined.
  Mr. President, that is all I have for the majority leader. I thank 
him very much.
  Senator Conrad is here and wishes to speak for 20 minutes. I ask 
Senator Thomas: Senator Conrad wishes to speak for 20 minutes. Do you 
wish to speak now?
  If not, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Conrad be recognized for 
20 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from North Dakota.

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