[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent at this time the 
Senate proceed as if in morning business until 2:55, and the Senate 
will recess for approximately 1 hour because Secretary Rumsfeld will be 
briefing Members in room 407. I amend my unanimous consent request that 
the Senate reconvene at 4 p.m. today.
  Mr. REID. If the Senator would modify his request, at that time we 
come back on the bill.
  Mr. McCAIN. Return to consideration of the McCain substitute.
  Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, I appreciate very much the 
request of the Senator from Arizona. It is appropriate. By 4 o'clock we 
will know what position we are in on both sides.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent I be allowed 
to speak as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has that right.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. I understand the President pro tempore may be coming 
to the Senate floor. If he appears, I will yield to him and pick back 
up when he finishes. In fact, the President pro tempore has arrived.
  I yield the floor to the Senator from Alaska until he finishes.

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