John Chafee

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, from my visits to California, I have learned first hand how the traffic coming through the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are expected to more than double by the year 2020 with 25% of all U.S. imports coming through these two ports. If we are to realize the benefits of this increased trade, we must improve the efficient movement of the cargo throughout this nation while at the same time taking every step to enhance the safety of the residents of the area and to improve the environment. The Senator should be assured that I will give this project every consideration as we move to final enactment of this bill.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CHAFEE. Thank you Senator Breaux and Senator Landrieu for bringing this proposal to our attention. Although we continue to face a significant challenge in providing funding for the complete range of national transportation needs, I will work with you and other Senators as this bill progresses to provide funding for those critical areas in which we can gain the greatest value for our public investment. marine ferry transportation

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, this amendment provides for a GAO study on facilitating the relocation of utilities that occur as part of highway construction projects.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendments be dispensed with.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk, and then a further amendment.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, inadvertently the managers of the bill omitted important language from the transit title. I am grateful to the chairman and ranking member of the Banking Committee for bringing that to our attention. This amendment has approval of this side.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator D'Amato and Senator Sarbanes, I send to the desk an amendment to the transit title.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, this amendment is agreeable to this side.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. CHAFEE. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Torricelli, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator DeWine, I send an amendment to the desk.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet on Thursday, March 12, 1998, at 2 p.m. in open session, to receive testimony on the Department of Energy's fiscal year 1999 authorization request for environmental management, non- proliferation, and fissile materials disposition.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Acquisition and Technology of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 1998, in open session, to receive testimony on the Department of Defense, Science, and Technology programs in review of the Defense authorization request for fiscal year 1999 and the future years Defense program.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be allowed to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 12, 1998, at 9 a.m. in SR- 328A. The purpose of this meeting will be to examine the reauthorization of expiring child nutrition programs.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 12, 1998, to conduct a hearing on S. 1423, The ``Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Act of 1997.''

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Thursday, March 12, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. for a hearing on the topic of ``Reforming the IRS: Managerial Flexibility and Accountability.''

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on African Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 12, 1998, at 2 p.m. to hold a hearing.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; that the motions to reconsider the above actions be laid upon the table; and, finally, that any statements regarding this legislation appear at the appropriate place in the Record.