Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Can we agree to vote on this amendment or on a motion to table this amendment, say, at 12:45?

Mr. DOLE. I yield 10 minutes of that time to the Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, after the exchange between the minority leader and the Senator from North Dakota.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Right. I ask unanimous consent that what was just stated be the order.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Maybe there is none on that side. I will reserve that.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, as we begin the second day of the Federal Government shutdown, I do want to note that like all Senators, I have read the polls that say more Americans are blaming the Republican Congress for the shutdown than are blaming President Clinton. If you think leadership is all about taking polls--as the White House does--then I suppose you can take heart in these results. But I happen to believe that leadership is more than just trying to make everybody happy. It is about doing what is right for America and what is right for our children and grandchildren. From the moment the votes giving Republicans their first congressional majority were tallied last November, we knew we had a choice. We could either look to the next election, basically leave the status quo intact, and avoid taking any action that might be controversial or unpopular. Or we could roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of giving the American people the fundamental changes we have needed for so long. That is the road on which we embarked. We knew the road would be bumpy. We knew there would be those who would urge us to detour to the path of least resistance. But we also know that if we stay the course, then America will be a better place to live, work, and raise a family. America will be better because our children and grandchildren will be freed from the crushing burden of our national debt. America will be better because the lower interest rates that will result from a balanced budget will allow more of us to own a home, buy a car, and take out a college loan. America will be better because we will have saved Medicare from bankruptcy. America will be better because we will have returned power to where it blongs--to our States, our cities, our neighborhoods, and our people. Madam President, I cannot say it any better than did Mr. Joe Ham of Lawrenceville, GA, who sent me the following fax yesterday: Senator Dole: I know the media and the White House will be pouring on the propaganda, but for our kids' sake and the sake of America, stand your ground. As Mark Twain said, ``In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. Let me just say to Mr. Ham that when I look at House and Senate Republicans I see patriots, patriots who are willing to pay the price for leadership, and who are willing to pay the price of making the tough choices today that will ensure a better tomorrow. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOLE

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I submit a report of the committee of conference on H.R. 2020 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I object to further proceedings on this matter at this time.

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I understand there are two bills due their second reading.

Mr. DOLE. I object to further proceedings on this matter at this time.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until the hour of 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 16; that following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be deemed approved to date, no resolutions come over under the rule, the call of the calendar be dispensed with, the morning hour be deemed to have expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day.

Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that immediately following the prayer, the Senate begin the continuing resolution, House Joint Resolution 122.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me say that, hopefully, within the next minute or two, we can call up another conference report--the Treasury, Postal Service appropriations bill. As I understand it, the Senate papers are on the way up.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I now ask unanimous consent that there be a period for the transaction of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 2 minutes each.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I think Senators should, therefore, be on notice that we can expect votes probably tomorrow morning. We hope to complete action on this by early afternoon, I hope. As I understand, there may be no more than two amendments, so we will just take it up at 9 o'clock. Senator Hatfield, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, has been notified. And, hopefully, we can turn to any other available conference reports tomorrow. I will just say I do not think it would be helpful to stay here until the House completes action. It would be after 11 o'clock, and by the time we completed action it would be 2 or 3 in the morning. So even if it were passed, it would not get to the White House until morning and that would not be in time to alert anybody, assuming he signed it, to come back to work. So I think we are not losing any time nor prejudicing anybody's rights by taking this up tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I now ask for its second reading, and I object.

Mr. DOLE. I ask for its first reading.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I understand that S. 1410, introduced earlier by Senator Daschle, is at the desk.

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I respectfully object.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President; I know I speak for all Members of the Senate in extending our condolences to the family of Alex Bing, who passed away on September 28, 1995. At the time of his death, Alex had worked for the Senate for 10 years as a valued employee of the Sergeant at Arms' environmental service operation. In 1992 and 1993 Alex was selected as the environmental services' Employee of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding performance and attendance record. Alex's primary responsibility was the care and maintenance of the Minton tile floors located throughout the Senate wing of the Capitol Building. Alex was a dedicated and loyal employee who took great pride in his work. As a result of his dedication, many visitors to the Capitol have been provided the opportunity to view this historic building at its very best. All those who knew Alex knew him as a kind, quiet, and caring person. He will be missed by all. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOLE

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