[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17418]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, first, let me welcome everybody back from 
what I hope was a safe and productive August break. It seems as if only 
a few days ago we were here on the floor finishing our work prior to 
our recess. Since that time, we have had the two party conventions, and 
our colleagues have been spending time with their constituents and with 
family and friends.
  Today, we will resume our Senate business with a period of morning 
business to allow Senators to make statements and to introduce 
legislation. A number of colleagues have expressed their desire to come 
to the floor, and we will coordinate an informal schedule of speakers 
over the course of this afternoon.
  Under the consent agreement reached prior to the recess, at 5 p.m. 
today we will proceed to executive session for debate on two district 
court nominations. Those nominations are Virginia Maria Hernandez 
Covington, of Florida, to be a U.S. district judge for the Middle 
District of Florida, and Michael Schneider, of Texas, to be a U.S. 
district judge for the Eastern District of Texas. The Senate will vote 
on the confirmation of those judicial nominations at 5:30 today, and 
those will be the first votes of the day.
  Following those votes, we will consider the nomination of Michael 
Watson, of Ohio, to be a U.S. district judge for the Southern District 
of Ohio. I do not anticipate a rollcall vote to be necessary on the 
Watson nomination; therefore, the two votes at 5:30 today should be the 
only rollcall votes of the day.
  I know there are colleagues who are ready to speak; therefore, I will 
defer some longer opening comments to about 30 minutes from now. I 
would say at this time that our plans are to begin consideration of the 
Homeland Security appropriations bill tomorrow morning. I am discussing 
with the Democratic leadership an agreement to allow us to move quickly 
on that legislation. Again, I will have more to say on the Senate 
schedule in about 30 or 45 minutes.
  With that, Mr. President, I look forward to a productive legislative 
period.

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