J. Exon

Mr. EXON

Mr. EXON. I will wait until the Senator finishes.

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, do I have any time remaining?

Mr. EXON. I would like to use that 1 minute, if I might, for a brief colloquy between myself and the chairman of the committee. I think we can jointly announce some good news. I think we are moving quite well here. The amendments I have next, that I think are agreed to on the other side--next will be Senator Biden, then Senator Snowe, then Senator Dorgan, then Senator Phil Gramm of Texas, and then Senator Kerry of Massachusetts. I am pleased with the way we are cooperating on both sides and the fact the Senators are here, prepared to offer their amendments in a timely fashion. Is that the schedule for the next amendments, in that order?

Mr. EXON. It appears to me that is accurate.

Mr. EXON. The next amendments, 10 minutes each, equally divided. The next will be Senator Biden followed by Senator Snowe followed by Senator Dorgan followed by Senator Phil Gramm of Texas followed by Senator Kerry of Massachusetts. With that, I yield 5 minutes to Senator Biden, from the State of Delaware.

Mr. EXON. Before Senator Snowe is recognized, to expedite things, when Senator Snowe finishes, I yield half of our 5 minutes to the Senator from West Virginia, who I understand also supports it. I reserve the other half of the time in case any opposition surfaces. Ms. SNOWE addressed the Chair.

Mr. EXON. I will be glad to yield--has the Senator finished? Does the Senator need more time?

Mr. EXON. I yield 1 minute to the Senator from West Virginia.

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, since no others are seeking time, I will be glad to yield back our time. Is there any time on this side?

Mr. EXON. Has all time been yielded back on both sides?

Mr. EXON. May I request all time be yielded back? I yield back our time.

Mr. EXON. I believe the next order of business would be an amendment offered by Senator Dorgan of North Dakota. I yield 5 minutes to him at this time.

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, will the Senator from Texas yield for one moment? After the Senator has made his presentation, I yield 5 minutes to Senator Rockefeller in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. EXON. I believe, under the agreement, the Senator from Massachusetts, Senator Kerry is next. I yield to him 5 minutes.

Mr. EXON. We have no objection. I agree to accept the amendment.

Mr. EXON. I yield back.

Mr. EXON. According to my list we have Senator Kennedy next.

Mr. EXON. That sounds reasonable.

Mr. EXON. I see nothing wrong with that. We can move on to the Kennedy amendment, the next amendment on my list. I yield 5 minutes to Senator Kennedy. Amendment No. 2981 (Purpose: To strike the provision allowing the transfer of excess pension assets)

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, the next Senator on the list is the distinguished Senator from Minnesota, Senator Wellstone. I yield him 5 minutes.

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, is all time expired?

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, the good news is that according to my record--and I believe my colleague will agree--we have three amendments left in this tier 2 category: Pryor, Conrad and Roth, in that order. Is that the Senator's understanding?

Mr. EXON. Pryor, Conrad, Roth--Finance Committee.

Mr. EXON. Yes.

Mr. EXON. I now recognize Senator Pryor from Arkansas for his amendment and yield him the 5 minutes. Mr. DOMENICI addressed the Chair.