Larry Craig

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar item No. 251, Senate Concurrent Resolution 58.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of calendar No. 66, H.R. 867.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I have a substitute amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today the Outfitter Policy Act of 1997. This legislation puts into law many of the management practices by which Federal land management agencies have successfully managed the outfitter and guide industry on national forests, national parks and other Federal lands over many decades. The bill recognizes that many Americans need and seek the skills and experience of commercial outfitters and guides in order to enjoy a safe and pleasant journey through wild lands and over the rivers and lakes that are the spectacular destinations for many visitors to our Federal lands. My bill assures the public continued opportunities for reasonable and safe access to these special areas. It assures high standards will be met for the health and welfare of visitors who chose outfitted services and quality professional services will be avaiable for their recreational and educational experiences on federal land. This legislation is called for because the management of outfitted and guided services by this administration has created problems that threaten to destabilize some of these typically small, independent outfitter and guide businesses. In addressing these problems, this legislation relies heavily on practices that have historically worked well for outfitters, visitors, and other user groups, as well as for Federal land managers in the field. When the bill is enacted, it will assure that these past fine levels of service are continued and enhanced. When I introduced similar legislation, S. 2194, at the conclusion of the 104th Congress, I did do so for the purpose of creating discussion concerning outfitter and guide operations within the context of the broader issue of concessioner reform that this Congress has been addressing for two decades. In the year that has followed, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has held one oversight hearing on concessions operations, but has not yet addressed the issue of concessions that specifically offer outfitting and guiding services. S. 2194 provided the intended opportunity for discussion, however. It has allowed for the examination of the historical practices that have offered consistent, reliable outfitter services to the public. This earlier version of the bill also facilitated a discussion of the need for consistency between Federal agencies in the management of outfitted services and allowed the opportunity to examine policies that have provided high quality recreation services, protection of natural resources, a fair return to the government, and reasonable economic stability that the public expects. The legislation I am now introducing is a result of those discussions. I look forward to a hearing on this legislation and to moving with its enactment in the coming session of the 105th Congress.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. I object to further consideration.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order, following remarks of Senator Grassley and Senator Chafee.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, tomorrow it is the hope that the omnibus appropriations bill will be cleared for action by the Senate. A rollcall vote is anticipated. However, I would not expect that vote to occur prior to 1:30 p.m. The Senate intends to consider and complete action on the following: the FDA reform conference report and legislative or executive items cleared for action. Therefore, Members can anticipate rollcall votes throughout Sunday's session of the Senate.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until the hour of 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 9. I further ask that on Sunday, immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be placed in the Record at the appropriate place as if read.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1347, and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar. Calendar items 180, 181, 248, 252, 332, 375, 384, 455, 457, 464, 467, 468, 469 through 483 and all other military nominations reported by the Armed Services Committee today. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions, and the Senate return to legislative session.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations which are at the desk: Joseph Brame and Sarah Fox. I further ask unanimous consent that the Labor Committee be discharged from further consideration of Peter Hurtgen and Wilma Liebman and the Senate proceed to these nominations en bloc. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee substitute be agreed to, the bill be considered and read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar item No. 274, Senate 1193.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, the bill be considered read the third time and passed, as amended, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill appear in the Record.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, Senator Bennett has an amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. 1258.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar item No. 272, Senate Resolution 93.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent that the conference report be agreed to.

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I submit a report of the committee of conference on the bill (S. 1026), and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 278, H.R. 1787.

Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statement relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent the committee amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill be considered read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the title amendment be agreed to, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. CRAIG

Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.