Pete Domenici

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. The Senator is correct.

Mr. DOMENICI. I understand that intend to emphasize the current role of a Governor in the licensing of offshore LNG facilities pursuant to the Deepwater Port Act.

Mr. DOMENICI. The Senator saying that a Governor currently has a clear opportunity to disapprove that a license be issued for any offshore LNG terminal?

Mr. DOMENICI. How many times has a Governor used this authority to approve or disapprove that a license be issued?

Mr. DOMENICI. This has been an evolving problem for some time now and I share the Senator's concern about whether the proper balance is being struck. Particularly in light of available technologies, I believe that there should be a way to produce oil and gas in the potash area without interfering with the recovery of the potash resource. My desire is to see both a vibrant potash industry and a vibrant oil and gas industry in the region, with both generating strong economic activity and employment.

Mr. DOMENICI. I would tell the Senator that I would be pleased to give him that commitment.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. DOMENICI. Regular order, Madam President.

Mr. DOMENICI. I make a point of order that the amendment is not germane.

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I call up amendment No. 891 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, might I say to the Senator from New Hampshire, of course, this motion is debatable, as the Senator knows. We do not want to take a lot of time, and we do not want them to take a lot of time. But we have objection to proceeding from the other side, so we are going to be here a while. Sooner or later we will vote, even if it is at the end of 30 hours. Everybody should know that. So whoever is delaying this, all the other amendments are waiting.

Mr. DOMENICI. I say to the Senator, you should know that at some point I am going to take 3 minutes to explain my version of the budget.

Mr. DOMENICI. You do not have to be here, but I want you to know that so you don't think I am doing it without your knowledge. I will not take more than 3 minutes explaining what I think it says. All right. I yield the floor.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, in response to that question, I would say that our national policy for handling high level nuclear waste is to store it at the proposed DOE site at Yucca Mountain. I don't know whether the Skull Valley site will receive the regulatory approval it needs. That is not my decision. However, in my view, our focus should remain on a solution that puts this waste directly in the hands of the Federal Government.

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

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I see the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts. I know he wants to speak. I do want to explain the position I am in. I am trying very hard to get the amendment that is pending voted on. We have been waiting for a long time. Both Senator Bingaman and Senator Domenici have to leave. Our scheduled time of departure is 3:30 to get home to go to a BRAC Commission meeting where six commissioners will be there. I need all the time between now and 3:30 to get it done. But if the Senator wants to speak, I will yield and see what happens.

Mr. DOMENICI. The Senator wants to be recognized for a speech.

Mr. DOMENICI. So long as there is no misunderstanding, the business I am talking about would include a vote.

Mr. DOMENICI. I am appreciative. I thank the Senator so much.

Mr. DOMENICI. Yes, indeed. As soon as this business is finished on the pending amendment, he will be recognized for whatever time he needs. In order to save time, I wonder if I could have 2 minutes of colloquy with the Senator from Louisiana, which is part of the proposal we are trying to finish. No amendments, just a colloquy with reference to the subject matter. I know the Senator from New Jersey is here. This colloquy has to do with some amendments he is pulling down that put our compromise together so we don't have any amendments that offend you. He wants to ask me about two amendments which he will withdraw.

Mr. DOMENICI. The Senator has my assurance. Just as I have tried to do that in the past, I will continue to do it. It cannot be included in this bill for a lot of reasons, including those the Senators from offshore States understand. We will continue to work on it and see how we can move it along in due course.

Mr. DOMENICI. Will you pull your amendment after this colloquy?

Mr. DOMENICI. Will you withdraw it?