[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15294]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            SENATE SCHEDULE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the majority leader will be coming at a 
later time. I simply wanted to say that we renew our request on this 
issue which people feel so strongly about relating to marriage, that we 
move forward and vote on Resolution 40 that is now before the Senate. 
We have indicated, through our leader, Senator Daschle, and again 
yesterday, that we would be willing to move to that resolution 
posthaste. We would be willing to cooperate with the majority, have 
whatever debate time they wanted on the resolution itself. But we on 
this side are disappointed. Yesterday morning we were told the majority 
had another constitutional amendment they wanted to vote on relating to 
marriage, making it two. Then later in the day, we were told they still 
had a third one, which is certainly a recipe for having no vote on 
anything.
  If there is no vote on the substance of this marriage amendment, it 
will lie at the feet of the majority. They have the ability to have an 
up-or-down vote on this resolution as soon as they want it. It is not 
good for the process to have an open season on amendments. What would 
happen is we would move to the marriage amendment and then, by simple 
majorities, one could attach whatever one wanted to it. The majority 
realizes we would never have an up-or-down vote on a marriage amendment 
because it would be filled with all kinds of other things.
  This reminds me of the same thing that took place last week on 
something some Members also felt very strongly about--class action. On 
that, there was a sufficient number of Democrats, I am told, who would 
have been able to move forward with this legislation. But instead of 
moving forward on it, the majority again decided they didn't want to. 
They wouldn't allow a limited number of amendments. Therefore, we did 
nothing.
  We have wasted 2 weeks. This will be the second week. I am told that 
when we finish the marriage amendment, which will be very shortly, if 
the procedures are as indicated--the majority leader filed cloture last 
night and we would move to the matter Wednesday to vote on it--the 
majority has indicated they want to move to the Australian free-trade 
agreement.
  Now, I know Australia has been a good ally of this country, but, for 
Heaven's sake, we have so many more important things to do and we are 
going to take valuable Senate time away from the appropriations bills, 
one of which is on the floor, the one relating to homeland security.
  The Presiding Officer has indicated that, with certain limitations, 
he would be willing to move forward on that bill. While we may not 
accept those limitations, we would certainly be willing to work with 
the chairman of the Appropriations Committee to move forward on that 
legislation.
  We had a briefing last week on homeland security. We are having 
another one tomorrow dealing with the emergency evacuation of this 
Capitol complex. There are things we need to do rather than have 
another free-trade agreement.
  I hope the majority will see the light and allow us to vote on the 
marriage amendment tomorrow, or whenever they choose, if they want more 
time to debate it. I think it would be good for the people of this 
country if they knew how people stood on the constitutional amendment 
before this body.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask unanimous consent that the 
first half hour of morning business run against our side.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Will the Chair announce the morning business hour? I don't 
believe it has been done.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair did announce that.
  Mr. REID. Under the Democratic time, the first 15 minutes will be for 
Senator Lautenberg. The next 10 minutes will be for Senator Harkin. The 
time for Senator Lautenberg has already started to run. I ask unanimous 
consent that be the case.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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