[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 2899]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I welcome everyone back from the 
President's Day recess. I suspect the weather outside today makes our 
distinguished President pro tempore homesick for his home, Alaska.
  As we communicated over the last week, today, in just a few minutes, 
we will begin debate on the bankruptcy bill, S. 256, the Bankruptcy 
Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. The chairman and 
ranking member are here to begin the opening remarks. Other Members 
will want to speak, I am sure, this afternoon.
  Our agreement provides for debate only today. Therefore, as 
previously announced, we will have no rollcall votes today. We do have 
several speakers. I don't expect a lengthy session today. I ask my 
colleagues to come to the Chamber to make opening statements and keep 
the afternoon full. I want people to make sure they have that 
opportunity to speak today, but do not expect a lengthy session because 
of the weather.
  We expect to begin the amendment process on the bill tomorrow. I 
encourage Members to notify their respective cloakrooms if they intend 
to offer amendments to this bill. I had the opportunity to talk to the 
Democratic leader over the recess, as well, and we both agreed we would 
encourage our caucuses to bring those amendments forward to the ranking 
member and the chairman so they can be addressed in an efficient and 
effective way. I expect we will make progress on amendments during 
tomorrow's session, although it is unlikely we will vote before the 
policy luncheons. I ask the chairman to consider having a vote shortly 
after the 2:15 reconvening tomorrow if at all possible.
  I understand we are just beginning today, but I encourage the 
amendment process to begin in the morning. Hopefully, we can debate 
amendments in the morning.
  I thank everyone for their assistance on this snowy Monday and look 
forward to a very constructive legislative period over the next several 
weeks. I will say more on the bankruptcy bill tomorrow morning.
  Let me say how pleased I am we are moving forward in considering this 
bill that many people have looked at for longer than 7 years. Over the 
last 7 years we have passed this bill, or a bill very similar to it, 
repeatedly, again and again, both in the House and in the Senate.
  The reason we have been able to pass the bill is that both sides of 
the aisle recognize the current system is calling for reform. Personal 
bankruptcies are skyrocketing and wealthy debtors are walking away from 
debts they can repay. This abuse is hurting everyone, not just the 
creditor they owe, but it hurts all who ultimately pay higher fees in 
prices to cover the loss.
  With that, I yield the floor as we begin debate on S. 256, the 
Bankruptcy Abuse and Prevention Consumer Protection Act of 2005.

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