Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, under the order last night, the Senate will conduct a period of morning business until 10 a.m. Following morning business, we will begin consideration of the foreign operations appropriations measure.

Mr. FRIST

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I come to the floor to close this week but more importantly to address and continue the comments and remarks that have been made with regard to the death on October 25th last year of Senator Paul Wellstone. Senator Wellstone's plane, the plane he was flying in, was lost in the Minnesota wilderness on that day, October 25, with all eight passengers aboard, having lost their lives in a tragic accident: Senator Wellstone, his wife Shelia, his daughter Marcia, staff members, the two pilots. Today, on the eve of that sad anniversary, we pause to remember Senator Wellstone and his remarkable, his tremendous contribution to this body and, indeed, to the United States of America. I have tremendous respect for what he demonstrated both on the floor of the Senate and the many committee hearings we both attended, especially the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee, where he focused so much of his attention and energy on mental health. I respected his tenacity, his intelligence, his commitment, his humor, his integrity. He was a kind man, a gentle man, never mean-spirited or one to make personal attacks. In this body, you look and you categorize certain people in terms of impressions. And the one word that summarizes my impression of Paul Wellstone is that he was a real idealist in the very best sense of the word--principled and tough, a stalwart defender of his ideals. In Minnesota and across the country, people will be celebrating Paul with a Wellstone World Music Day tribute. Here in the Senate, I think it is fitting we also acknowledge Paul's tireless work on behalf of those for whom he fought from early in the morning till late at night, those people who suffer from mental illness. He was their unflagging champion and mightily advanced the concept of the cause which, as a physician, I cherish; that is, fairness and equity. I share his commitment to this important issue, and I look forward to working with Senator Domenici and Senators Daschle and Kennedy; the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Gregg; indeed, all of my colleagues to ensure that mental health is appropriately addressed in this Congress. I do join with my colleagues and the people of Minnesota in a real celebration of the life and the ideals of Senator Paul Wellstone. He was a wonderful man, a remarkable man, and an outstanding Senator.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I take just a couple of moments to comment on some of the activities in Iraq, especially in light of the donor conference that is underway as we speak. We know it is very important for the world to have a clear picture of the progress that is being made in Iraq today. My comments will really center, again very briefly, on that. Not very many Americans have heard of Karada Street, I would wager. Karada Street is Baghdad's busiest commercial avenue, and something truly remarkable is happening there. Iraqis for the first time are enjoying the fruits of economic freedom. Not even a bomb blast at the Baghdad Hotel just a few blocks away from this now very busy commercial strip has dampened the growing activity. A number of our colleagues have traveled and are continuing to travel to Iraq, and they come back with those encouraging reports that we are just beginning to hear about these days. Recently, ABC News reported that at one computer and data system company, trade is up 70 percent since sanctions were lifted in May. At the Al Farah used car lot, a 9-year-old Jeep sells for $1,000 less today than when Saddam was in power. Meanwhile, government workers at a Karada Street match factory have seen their salaries soar fivefold. The manager tells the news agency, ``Now my salary is much better . . . I can buy anything I want now.'' There is much more. Portable generators are selling at discounted prices. Why? Because electricity has become more reliable. Indeed, washing machine and air-conditioner sales are brisk. In a particularly vivid example of how things have changed since the fall of Saddam, a local ice cream shop that used to serve almost exclusively Saddam's circle is now open to any local resident who comes in for that cold treat. All of these stories are out there and they all point to the dramatic, remarkable changes that are underway that are associated with tasting freedom for the first time in decades. One of the freedoms Iraqis have been most enthusiastic to exercise is the freedom to express their views. Pollsters for a new Gallup poll reported last week that Iraqis were pleading to share their opinions, and almost every Iraqi asked to participate in the survey volunteered to do so. Gallup's director of international polling told reporters that once they started talking, the Iraqis ``went on and on.'' It is not hard to imagine the exhilaration they must feel today, how their hearts must swell with the realization that they, for the first time in decades, are truly free--free from tyranny, free from torture, free from persecution, free to speak their minds and create a government of their own devising, for the people and by the people. For the first time in a generation, the Iraqi people live free of the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. They have begun to develop democratic institutions of government. They are pursuing economic policies on trade and investment that are more liberal than any other country in the region. The Iraqi people have begun replacing that old Saddam currency with the new, unified dinar. They will have in their wallets a powerful symbol of their liberation, money to save or to spend as they choose, without Saddam's face mocking their hopes. The Gallup poll I mentioned just a few minutes ago found that, even in Baghdad, the Iraqis want us to stay that course. That is because the Iraqis now have an opportunity, as do we, to change the course of history and bring peace and stability to the heart of the Middle East. For the sake of Iraq, for the sake of America, we must continue to fight for freedom. Our Declaration of Independence tells us that all men are created equal. Now, in Iraq, we have the opportunity to once again realize that essential truth. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I object to further proceeding.

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.

Mr. FRIST

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

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 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.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the previously agreed to Feinstein amendment No. 1938 to H.R. 2989 be modified with the changes that are at the desk.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will conduct an hour of morning business with the first 30 minutes under the control of the Democratic leader and the second 30 minutes under the control of Senator Hutchison or her designee. Following morning business, the Senate will then begin consideration of H.R. 2989, the Transportation, Treasury, and general government appropriations bill. I have had some discussions with the Democratic leadership regarding some of the possible amendments. I will be talking to Senator Shelby, who will be managing that bill, regarding his expectations. We do anticipate amendments over the course of today's session. Rollcall votes will occur. We are willing to remain in session into the evening, if necessary, to complete the bill today or tonight. The Transportation appropriations bill is one of the six remaining appropriations bills the Senate must consider before we adjourn this year. It will continue to take a great deal of cooperation on both sides of the aisle to complete action on these bills in a timely fashion. I hope we can work together. I am confident we will be able to work together in this fashion so that we can complete these bills in an expedited way. On another matter, last week, by a large bipartisan vote, the Environment and Public Works Committee reported the nomination of Mike Leavitt to Administrator of the EPA. Chairman Inhofe came to the floor yesterday to try to reach an agreement to debate the nomination and then proceed to a vote. There was an objection from my Democratic colleagues. I have read that several Democratic Senators have placed a hold on the nomination, and I therefore want to put the Senate on notice: This nomination is for the Cabinet of the President of the United States. I believe it is irresponsible to allow a vacancy to continue in that position. That position clearly speaks to very important concerns that are before the American people. Thus, we will move forward on this nomination. If it is necessary, I will file cloture to allow the Senate to work its will on this nominee. If Senators want to vote against the nomination, we will give them that opportunity. They will have that opportunity. Therefore, if we are unable to consider this nomination under some sort of reasonable time limitation, I will move to proceed to its consideration and file the necessary motion. I thank my colleagues and I hope all Members will reconsider the objections they have put forward. Each morning, I comment on a range of bills that we will address before we adjourn. We made real headway with the anti-spam legislation yesterday, coming back to appropriations shortly this morning. We still have fair credit reporting on which we are making progress, but we need to get that to the floor. I think we will be able to do that under a short time agreement. We have the issue surrounding the CARE Act which I mentioned when we closed last night. We have the Internet moratorium which we need to address this week or next week. I am confident we will be able to do so. There is another bill at the desk I hope we can work on over the course of today or tomorrow, the Syria Accountability Act. Another issue we have been working on in a bipartisan way and I want to address before we adjourn is the issue of gun liability. One final comment has to do with an entirely different issue, and that is the progress being made in Sudan. Secretary Powell has made statements, after a recent visit there, that real progress is being made in terms of peace in a country that has been in a civil war for the last 20 years. Over 2 million people have died in Sudan, and over 5 million people have been displaced from their homes as a product of this civil war. I go to southern Sudan each year as part of medical mission works. I was just there about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I want to share my optimistic view, based on that recent visit working in hospitals and with patients and with civilians in southern Sudan, that this peace act is making real progress. I think the United States has played a major role in facilitating the process.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I am a little hesitant to add to my list of things to do after what we just heard. But as my colleague, Senator Daschle, mentioned, on the class action legislation I think we made headway yesterday. With that vote yesterday, a lot of people have come forward and said this is something we can do. Asbestos is something we are working on diligently as well. I wish to add one other thing, and that is Healthy Forests. We are very close on that as well. It is an important issue to the American people. I think that, too, is one we can complete before we adjourn.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination on today's Executive Calendar, calendar No. 249. I further ask unanimous consent that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to take 2 or 3 minutes to make a comment on another issue. Earlier this month, the Fatima Zehran Center for Women's Rights opened in Hillah in the Babil Province in Iraq. This center is the first of its kind to be established since the liberation of Iraq. It is also one of the many such planned across the country in Iraq. It oversees classes and workshops on women's issues and even broader issues in nutrition, in health, democracy, empowerment and leadership, literacy, computer and Internet skills, and entrepreneurship in local markets. As we all know, the last 35 years in Iraq have been a period of injustice for and oppression of Iraqi women. They were deprived of their civil and political rights. This is just another example of tremendous progress being made in Iraq. New programs are being developed and implemented throughout the country to raise the educational standard of Iraqi women. A few employment opportunities are occurring throughout the country. The Baghdad City Council has begun a major project to establish women's institutes throughout the city. It is clear that the time has come for Iraqi women to occupy their natural position in society and in leading their nation. Now they have the opportunity to play an active role in the decisionmaking processes of the political and economic development of a free Iraq. I am delighted that such progress is being made, and I look forward to the full participation of Iraqi women who have been oppressed for so long-- for almost three decades now. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, under the order from last night, the Senate will conduct a period of morning business until 11:30 this morning. During morning business, the first 30 minutes will be under the control of Senator Hutchison, the second block of 30 minutes will be under the control of the Democratic leader or his designee, and the final 60 minutes will be equally divided for Senators to speak. Following this time, at 11:30 the Senate will resume debate on the motion to proceed to S. 1751, the class action fairness bill. At 12:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1751. This cloture vote will be the first vote of today's session. I am hopeful that cloture will be invoked today and that we are able to proceed to the legislation for debate and amendments. If we are to begin consideration of the class action measure, I also hope to reach an agreement on amendments to the bill which would allow us to finish the bill this week. I will be talking to the Democratic leadership about an agreement for later today, if the cloture vote is successful. Again, I remind Members that we continue to work on time agreements for the consideration of a number of issues--the fair education credit reporting legislation, the anti-spam bill, the Internet tax moratorium measure, the Healthy Forests bill, the CARE Act, as well as nominations that are available on the Executive Calendar. This is not an exclusive list, and we continue to process legislation each day as legislative items are cleared for floor action. We have a lot of work to do in the few remaining weeks left in the session. It will require some give on both sides of the aisle. I hope Members will allow us to reach agreements to consider legislation so that we can use the remaining floor time in an efficient manner.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in response, through the Chair, the appropriations bills are critical and we continue to work aggressively. I am in wholehearted agreement. Bringing these bills to the floor one by one is a much preferred route to take. We continue to work aggressively in that regard.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I am clearly disappointed we have been denied the opportunity to proceed to this very important legislation, a bill we very much want to discuss, to debate, and to appropriately amend. It is important to the American people. Thus, I believe we just witnessed a missed opportunity to address a critically and vitally important issue. With that, for my colleagues, let me say we are making some progress on other issues in terms of how the afternoon will be spent. We are in discussion with regard to the antispam legislation, and I believe we will be able to proceed with that early this afternoon. Again, let me state my disappointment. We are very committed to addressing this particular issue for the American people, and we will be trying, once again, to pull together and do what the American people deserve.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, you just heard a willingness to work together. There were 59 Members who spoke just a few moments ago who said, Let's proceed and do it right now on the floor of the Senate. We were one vote short. I accept that. I think we do need to proceed directly to address this issue, and we will work in good faith to do just that. As I mentioned earlier, I think we are very close on the antispam legislation that we talked about yesterday and today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that we go into morning business until 2, with the time equally divided. We should be ready to begin the spam legislation at 2.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I understand there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading and I ask unanimous consent the bills be given a second reading en bloc.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 23. I further ask consent that following the prayer and the 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 begin a period of morning business for 60 minutes, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the minority leader or his designee and the second 30 minutes under the control of Senator Hutchison or her designee; provided further, that following morning business, the Senate begin consideration of calendar No. 279, H.R. 2989, the Transportation appropriations bill, as provided under the previous order

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, tomorrow, following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of the Transportation appropriations bill. It is my hope we can complete action on this bill in an expedited manner, and the two managers will be here tomorrow morning to begin working through amendments to that bill. Senators should expect amendments to be offered and debated throughout the course of the day. Therefore, rollcall votes should be expected throughout the day as well. Senators will be notified when the first vote is scheduled.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask that there now be a period for morning business, with Senators speaking for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7, the charitable choice bill. I further ask unanimous consent that all after the enacting clause be stricken, that the Snowe amendment and the Grassley-Baucus amendment, which are at the desk, be agreed to en bloc, that the substitute amendment, which is the text of S. 476, the Senate-passed version of the charitable choice bill as amended by the Snowe and Grassley-Baucus amendments be agreed to, that the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed, that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; further, that the Senate insist upon its amendments and request a conference with the House, and last, that the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees with a ratio of 3 to 2, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.