[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20174]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2003--Continued

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, obviously we have not had the progress we 
had hoped for on the Energy bill over the course of the last several 
days. I know that Senators have indicated they still have amendments to 
the electricity amendment. And it is clear to me there is not a 
definite sign as to when we might finish that issue.
  Members have the ability to slow down this bill. With the lengthy 
amendment list that is before us, there are many options to do that. 
After numerous discussions today, it is clear to me we are not on a 
course to complete this bill over the next couple of days.
  It is important to do. I set out several weeks ago--actually 2 months 
ago--stating that the objective would be to work aggressively over the 
course of this final week, having had the bill before us in May, 
spending a number of days before this week on this bill.
  In spite of that commitment on my part to plow ahead, it appears to 
me now--Wednesday night at 10 o'clock--that the writing is on the wall: 
We are not going to be able to complete the bill.
  Having said that, I think it is important that Members have an 
opportunity to really prove their commitment to this underlying bill. 
Again and again, I have heard: Yes, we want to pass a comprehensive 
national energy policy. Although I hear that, and I express this 
willingness--and I think that is probably right--it is important, 
before we leave for this August recess, to see what that commitment 
really represents. Thus, I will shortly file cloture, and the Senate 
will have the opportunity to go on record for completing a bill which 
will accomplish just that--establishing a national energy policy.
  Mr. President, in that regard, I now ask unanimous consent to set 
aside the pending amendments in order for me to offer an amendment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.


                            Motion To Commit

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I send to the desk a motion to commit the 
pending legislation with instructions.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Tennessee [Mr. Frist] moves to commit S. 
     14 to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with 
     instructions to report back forthwith with the following 
     amendment numbered 1432.

  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')


                           Amendment No. 1433

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for 
its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Tennessee [Mr. Frist] proposes an 
     amendment numbered 1433 to instructions of the motion to 
     commit S. 14.

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the 
amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

  The amendment is as follows:

       At the end of the amendment add the following: ``All 
     provisions of Division A and Division B shall take effect one 
     day after enactment of this act.''


                Amendment No. 1434 To Amendment No. 1433

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I send a second-degree amendment to the 
desk and ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Tennessee [Mr. Frist] proposes an 
     amendment numbered 1434 to amendment No. 1433.

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the 
amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:
       On line 3 of the amendment strike ``one day'' and insert 
     ``two days.''


                             Cloture Motion

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under 
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

       We the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the 
     provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, 
     do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the pending 
     motion.
         Bill Frist, Pete Domenici, Orrin G. Hatch, Rick Santorum, 
           Saxby Chambliss, Larry E. Craig, Jon Kyl, Craig Thomas, 
           Charles Grassley, Sam Brownback, Lamar Alexander, Norm 
           Coleman, Mike DeWine, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, 
           Gordon H. Smith.

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the live 
quorum be waived.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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