Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 12 noon, Monday, February 24. I further ask unanimous consent that on Monday, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and as previously ordered, Senator Chambliss be recognized to deliver President Washington's Farewell address. I further ask unanimous consent that upon the conclusion of the reading of the Farewell Address, the Senate return to executive session and resume consideration of the nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a Circuit Judge for the DC Circuit.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate immediately proceed to H.R. 395, which is being held at the desk.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 7, S. 151, PROTECT Act; that there be 2 hours equally divided between the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee or their designees; that no amendments be in order; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to a vote in relation to the matter, without any further intervening action or debate.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 35.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: Calendar No. 31, reported by the Banking Committee, and all the nominations on the Secretary's desk. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, and that the Senate then resume legislative session, with all of the above occurring en bloc.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 41, which is at the desk.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. The Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a circuit judge for the DC Circuit. This is now the sixth day of debate on this judicial nominee. I thank Chairman Hatch, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for leading the debate on Miguel Estrada last night. I believe Senator Hatch laid out very clearly the qualifications of this nominee, as well as the traditional practice and process of our judicial confirmations. I thank all Members on this side of the aisle for their questions last night. I believe those questions and answers provide a great insight and clear away much of the rhetoric surrounding this well- qualified nominee. Again last night I attempted to reach an agreement as to when we might have an up-or-down vote on the Estrada nomination. All of my proposals were rejected. I hope out of a sense of fairness my Democratic colleagues would rethink their objection and allow the time certain for an up-or-down vote on Miguel Estrada. With respect to the omnibus appropriations conference report, the House filed the report late, very late, last night. The House is expected to act on that conference report later today. Therefore, it is my intention the Senate will be able to complete action on that measure on Friday. I will be working with the Democratic leader in an effort to reach a time agreement on that conference report. Rollcall votes are, therefore, possible during today's and tomorrow's session.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in response, it may well be tonight, in which case we could consider moving ahead tonight. It depends on when the House finishes their business and delivers it to us. A number of Senators have asked. Looking realistically, it is likely to be tomorrow. But if we receive it earlier, I will be more than happy to work on it tomorrow. I might turn to the distinguished chairman and ask for his perspective on what we might see over the course of today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 10 a.m. Friday, February 14. I further ask unanimous consent that on Friday, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then return to executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a Circuit Judge for the DC Circuit.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, for the information of Senators, tomorrow the Senate will, once again, resume debate on the nomination of Miguel Estrada. Again, if Senators desire an opportunity to speak on the nomination, I encourage them to do so. No rollcall votes will occur during Friday's session.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the recess, committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on Thursday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be read the third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record as if read.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 19, which is at the desk.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam 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 this matter be printed in the Record as if read.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 59, which was introduced earlier today by Senators Wyden and Smith.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Small Business Committee be discharged from further action on S. Res. 55 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record as if read.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 4 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I look forward to working with my colleagues in this regard. funding for the oglala sioux tribe