[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, following my remarks and the remarks of the 
Democratic leader, we will proceed to a period for morning business for 
90 minutes. The first 45 minutes will be under the control of the 
majority and the second half under the control of the minority. 
Following that time, the Senate will proceed to executive session for 
the consideration of Porter Goss to be Director of Central 
Intelligence. The agreement we reached last night allows for up to 6 
hours equally divided for debate on the Goss nomination. The discussion 
the leaders were just having was that we want to make as much time 
available to everyone who would like to speak, but in the event we do 
not need all of that time, that would be yielded back and we would be 
able to proceed to a vote on that nomination. Again, we have up to 6 
hours, but I expect time will be yielded back.
  Today we do have a briefing for Senators regarding Iraq this 
afternoon from 3 to 4. Before that briefing, we will be able to set the 
vote. I am sure even later this morning we will be able to announce the 
time we will be voting later today.
  We are also continuing to negotiate agreements on some of the 
remaining appropriation bills. I hope we can agree to a consent to 
allow us to consider the spending bills with a reasonable time 
limitation. If so, we will be able to follow the Goss nomination with 
that. I suspect that will be tomorrow morning.
  We have the expiring family-friendly tax items and we want to 
consider that legislation as soon as it becomes available. I understand 
that progress is being made. It will be important for us to vote on 
that this week. In the event that is Friday morning, that will have to 
be Friday morning, but I do want to encourage the conferees, who I 
think are very close to reporting out that legislation, so that the 
House of Representatives can consider it and we can consider it. We 
will be voting on that this week, either Friday or, if it is available, 
Thursday night. Obviously, I encourage the latter.
  I remind my colleagues of the joint meeting tomorrow morning at 10 
with Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq. He will be addressing both Houses 
on Thursday. Members should be in the Senate Chamber no later than 9:30 
in order to proceed to that joint meeting.

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