[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will conduct a 
period of morning business for up to 60 minutes. Following morning 
business, we will resume consideration of the class action fairness 
bill. Last night we had a series of opening statements, and therefore 
today we hope to make progress on that bill.
  As I mentioned yesterday, the issue surrounding class action has been 
thoroughly debated before the Senate. This bill has bipartisan support. 
I continue to hope we can reach an agreement to consider relevant 
amendments to the underlying legislation. I believe we should debate 
and vote on any class action amendments and allow the Senate to 
ultimately vote on passage of the legislation after a fair time for 
consideration.
  Having said that, I am concerned about all the reports in the various 
periodicals with regard to this bill being used as fly paper, as a 
vehicle to carry all kinds of unrelated issues. I just simply hope that 
will not be the case and that we can stay on the bill with relevant 
amendments. The legislation is too important to become mired down in a 
myriad of completely unrelated issues. Therefore, I believe in order 
for the Senate to pass the class action bill, we should reach an 
agreement as to how best to proceed. It is not my intent to cut off any 
Member's right to offer amendments; however, I do believe we should be 
clear that the amendments will be related to the underlying bill. I 
will continue to talk to the other side to find a path by which we can 
complete this bill, and I will have more to say on the schedule 
following the period of morning business.

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