[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13397]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF THE ACTING MINORITY LEADER

  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cornyn). The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. If my distinguished colleague will yield, it is my 
understanding also that the two managers have agreed to set aside the 
pending amendments for other amendments to be offered. I believe that 
is the case.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I say to my friend from Nevada, I believe that is the 
case.
  Mr. REID. I think those who have amendments should get to the Chamber 
as quickly as they can because one of the sponsors of one of the 
amendments now pending will not be here until this afternoon. So we can 
move that along with other amendments. It is my understanding that this 
bill, when it was up last year, took 8 weeks. It is my understanding 
that the majority leader wants to finish this bill within the next 2 
weeks. So that is a really big order because some of these amendments 
are very difficult. Some of the issues are difficult.
  I suggest we should get on this as quickly as possible because it is 
going to be very difficult to finish this bill in 2 weeks.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as the Senator from Nevada has 
indicated, it is our hope that we can finish the Energy bill in the 
next couple of weeks. We intend to pursue that as vigorously as 
possible. The cooperation of all Members toward that end would be 
greatly appreciated.
  The assistant Democratic leader is correct; it would be wonderful to 
have amendments laid down and debated. We are open for business.

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