[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9343]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--CONFERENCE REPORT TO ACCOMPANY S. 151

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time 
determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the 
Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the 
conference report to accompany S. 151, the PROTECT Act, and it be 
considered as follows: There be 2 hours of debate equally divided in 
the usual form.
  I further ask unanimous consent that following that debate time, the 
Senate proceed to a vote on the adoption of the conference report, with 
no intervening action or debate.
  Mr. REID. Objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Utah.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if I could ask my friend to yield for a 
parliamentary inquiry.
  Mr. HATCH. Without losing my right to the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. I want to make sure my friend from Utah understands that 
we, of course, would have no objection to going to the conference 
report. Our problem is having the majority leader set a time for 
completing this legislation. We have a number of people on our side who 
wish to speak. We would be willing to go to the conference report but 
with no time constraints. I want to make sure my friend understands 
that.
  Mr. HATCH. Could I ask the distinguished Senator how much time he 
would need?
  Mr. REID. I don't really know how much time. I know the Senator from 
Massachusetts wishes to speak, and he may want to speak for a little 
while. I think the best thing to do would be to go to the conference 
report. We have been basically doing nothing for 3 hours today anyway. 
I am sure it wouldn't take very long. But I don't have any idea. If I 
could, through the Chair, inquire of the Senator from Massachusetts, 
does the Senator from Massachusetts have any estimate as to how long we 
should be on this important legislation?
  Mr. HATCH. I yield without losing my right to the floor.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I intend to speak about this for some time, and then at 
the appropriate time I will make a point of order in terms of the bill.
  Mr. HATCH. I am sorry to see the objection on this matter because I 
believe this is one of the most important bills we will ever enact in 
the Senate, especially with regard to our children, but with regard to 
criminal law in general.

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