Kent Conrad

Mr. CONRAD

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

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, our final amendment on this side is an amendment from the Senator from Florida. If we can go to that amendment, we will be very close to completing amendments on this side.

Mr. CONRAD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 316, As Modified

Mr. CONRAD. I thank the Chair.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, we modified the amendment. Now we need to move to consideration of the amendment.

Mr. CONRAD. We have no objection on this side. In fact, we support it on this side.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, if I might indicate to the chairman, we have one amendment on our side, the Graham SSBG amendment. It is being modified in accordance with the request of the other side. As I understand it, the Senator is on his way to the floor with that amendment. That would bring us even closer to conclusion.

Mr. CONRAD. The Senator is correct. I also would like to be shown as an original cosponsor, if I might. I ask unanimous consent for that.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I say to the chairman, the amendment we previously discussed, the Bingaman amendment, as modified--the Senator's side has a copy of that. This is the low-income heating assistance amendment. We dealt with the PILT amendment. We would be prepared to deal with this one as well and be closer to a conclusion. Amendment No. 302

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, to alert colleagues, we are getting close to the end of our business on the budget resolution. I want to alert colleagues that we still have a few matters that require working out so that we can conclude business. I ask staff who are working on those amendments to inform the managers as to the status of those works in progress so that we can conclude business expeditiously. I don't know if the chairman has an observation or statement at this point. I think we are very close to being able to conclude our business.

Mr. CONRAD. I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be withdrawn.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, this would be an appropriate time for the Senator from Massachusetts to offer his amendment.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, we see this as a budget-neutral amendment because of the language of the amendment that provides that only if the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reports a bill that provides full, permanent, mandatory funding for PILT, this actually comes through the authorizing committee. On that basis, this is an important amendment. With payment in lieu of taxes, the Federal Government has made a commitment to those localities within which they have property that they are going to be a good neighbor, that they are going to pay the taxes anybody else would pay. I salute the Senator from New Mexico. This is an important amendment that says the Federal Government keeps its word. It is as simple as that. I thank the Chair and yield the floor. I commend the Senator from New Mexico. amendment no. 218, as modified

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I advise my colleague that while we are waiting for some additional amendments to arrive that are being redrafted in compliance with our agreement, the Senator from Louisiana would like to talk for just 3 minutes with respect to an issue in which she has been deeply involved.

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

Mr. CONRAD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 317

Mr. CONRAD. I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendments be dispensed with.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I send three amendments to the desk on behalf of Senator Byrd. I ask they be considered en bloc.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent Senator Landrieu and myself be added as original cosponsors on the previously considered Lincoln amendment.

Mr. CONRAD. We support the amendment on this side as well.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would like to be listed as a cosponsor on the Kerry-Bond amendment No. 183 of which we have just disposed. I ask unanimous consent to be shown as an original cosponsor.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, we support this amendment on this side as well.

Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, it is supported on this side as well.

Mr. CONRAD. I move to reconsider the vote.