[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1482]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, it was my hope that we could debate and 
vote on the confirmation of the Ridge nomination during today's 
session. It is my understanding that the other side of the aisle will 
require approximately an hour and 40 minutes for debate. In a 
discussion a few minutes ago, we agreed that we would at least begin 
that debate tonight.
  Shortly, I will be asking for unanimous consent to outline what the 
proposal is.
  It is an important nomination. I believe all of us would like to 
address and vote on the nomination as soon as possible. We will be 
conducting that vote tomorrow.
  I encourage our colleagues who have statements to make those tonight, 
if at all possible.
  As in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that following the 
stacked votes on Wednesday morning, the Senate proceed to executive 
session for the consideration of Calendar No. 1, the nomination of Tom 
Ridge to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Further, I ask that the 
debate time be limited as follows: Senator Dorgan, 15 minutes; Senator 
Byrd, 15 minutes; Senator Carper, 15 minutes; Senator Feinstein, 10 
minutes; Senator Lautenberg, 20 minutes; Senator Lieberman, 15 minutes; 
Senator Daschle, 10 minutes; and Senator Collins to be in control of 1 
hour and 40 minutes. I further ask unanimous consent that following the 
use or yielding back of the debate time the Senate proceed to a vote on 
the confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action or 
debate; further, that following the vote, the President be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative 
session.
  Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President, if I could, 
through the Chair, direct a question to the majority leader, it is my 
understanding that the majority leader is contemplating two votes in 
the morning.
  Mr. FRIST. That is correct.
  Mr. REID. And once that consent is done, it is my understanding we 
would have a couple votes, is that right, at 9:15 or 9:30 in the 
morning. Following that, this debate would take place, and we would 
vote on this matter prior to the normal party caucuses; is that right?
  Mr. FRIST. That is correct. I understand that Senator Carper may be 
willing to use his time tonight. I would encourage others to do so, 
once the unanimous consent request is agreed to. Shortly, we will enter 
into an agreement for two stacked votes for tomorrow morning at 
approximately 9:30. Following those votes, we will begin consideration 
of the Ridge nomination. I expect the vote will occur prior to the 
policy luncheons tomorrow afternoon, as outlined.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the second 
vote tomorrow morning be a 10-minute vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I remind my colleagues that late nights are 
to be expected for the remainder of this week as we continue to work 
through amendments to the appropriations bill. I believe the amendments 
have been filed at this juncture. I look forward to having the 
opportunity of looking through the amendments so we can give our 
colleagues a better idea of the schedule over the course of this week. 
It is my hope we will be able to complete the bill this week as early 
as possible. I think after looking over the amendments that have been 
given to the managers we will have a much better idea in that regard.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Collins be 
yielded 10 minutes at this juncture.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________