[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, shortly we will resume debate on the 
Defense appropriations bill. We began consideration on that bill last 
Thursday. Since that time, Members have had Thursday night, Friday, and 
all day Monday. We were here all day Monday, all day yesterday, 
Tuesday, to offer amendments. We will continue with the amendment 
process through today.
  As I have announced previously, we will stack votes beginning at 
sometime around 7:30 this evening to accommodate observance of the 
Jewish holiday. As I have said from the outset, our intentions are we 
will finish the Department of Defense appropriations bill this week 
prior to going out on our week-long recess. It is a critically 
important bill, something we will finish this week.
  Last night, I did file cloture on the bill. I filed in order to 
ensure we finish the bill this week in an orderly way. Everyone has had 
the opportunity for the last 3 or 4 days to come forward and offer 
amendments. We will vote on those amendments tonight, and then we would 
have the cloture vote tomorrow morning.
  Again, I encourage, as I have every day for the last several days, 
Members to come to the Senate and offer those amendments so we can vote 
on them. We have had more than 100 amendments filed. It is imperative 
that the Senators who are serious about their amendments and want them 
considered come forward and work with the managers over the course of 
this morning and not wait until tonight. We will finish the bill this 
week.
  As a reminder, we will recess from 12:30 until 2:15 for the weekly 
party luncheons.
  Let me turn to the Democratic leader on anything on the schedule 
before I make a very brief statement.

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