[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will immediately 
resume consideration of the Defense appropriations bill. Last night, we 
locked in an order of amendments to be offered over the course of the 
day. Although we have not locked in time agreements on these 
amendments, we expect to be voting on a couple of them as early as 11 
or 11:30 this morning. The chairman is here and is prepared to work 
through the remaining amendments to the bill. It is our expectation to 
complete this bill today or tonight.
  As I stated yesterday, and as stated by the chairman as well, if--it 
is an ``if''--we complete the Defense bill today and we are able to 
begin with the Homeland Security appropriations bill on Monday, there 
will be no rollcall votes during Friday's session. Again, that is if we 
complete the bill today. If not, we will go into tomorrow and have 
rollcall votes tomorrow.
  Monday is a no-vote day. However, as has been mentioned on the floor, 
we would expect Members to be present on Monday to offer amendments to 
the Homeland Security bill.
  As a reminder to all Senators, at 4 p.m. today the Prime Minister of 
Britain, the Right Honorable Tony Blair, will deliver an address to 
both Houses of Congress.
  Senators have been notified--but I will remind them--that they are 
asked to gather in the Senate Chamber no later than 3:40 this afternoon 
in order to proceed to the Hall of the House of Representatives.
  As we look ahead to next week, we will continue on the appropriations 
bills that are available. We will continue to have busy sessions 
throughout.
  I remind Members that the last week prior to the recess will be 
devoted to completion of the Energy bill. I have been hoping to reach 
an agreement so that Members will file their amendments on the Energy 
bill no later than Wednesday of next week. That would enable the 
chairman and the ranking member to begin to work through the amendments 
prior to that final week of consideration.
  I remind my colleagues that we began consideration of the Energy bill 
on May 6 of this year. I believe there has been more than adequate time 
to draft amendments, and therefore I hope we can set this reasonable 
filing deadline. I know at this time there are objections on the other 
side of the aisle. However, I will continue to work with Senator 
Daschle and the assistant Democratic leader in an effort to reach this 
consent.
  I thank all Members. As always, we will notify Senators as votes are 
scheduled throughout the day.

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