Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the next vote, final passage of the FAA reauthorization, will be the last vote of the evening. We will have a vote tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. After that 10 a.m. we will not have further votes until Tuesday. No votes on Monday. We will be going to Medicare prescription drugs on Monday. We will come in early afternoon on Monday for opening statements. We will have no votes on Monday. I believe that is pretty much it for the schedule. Later tonight, after talking to the Democratic leader, if there is any change in the schedule, we will let people know. The next vote is the last of the evening and we will vote at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. That is correct.

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote in relation to the Feinstein amendment No. 876 occur at 3:15 today, with no amendments in order to the amendment prior to the vote.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, in a few moments, I believe at 2:15, the vote for J. Ronnie Greer's nomination as a United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee will take place. As we come to the final few moments before that vote, I want to express my strong support for a very good friend over the years, Ronnie Greer. People who come from the mountains of northeast Tennessee are known in our State for certain qualities. They are the qualities of loyalty, of steadfastness, of a can-do spirit. This individual, who we will be voting on in a few minutes, really personifies that tradition. He is a highly accomplished public servant who has served as an attorney in Tennessee's judicial system with great distinction for more than 20 years. His academic career speaks for itself--he graduated at the top of his class at the University of Tennessee Law School and was invited to be on Law Review. Since starting his own law office in Greeneville, he has represented numerous clients on a wide range of issues, and he has considerable experience before the Federal courts. Recognizing the need to help his fellow man, he has not hesitated to accept the appointments of indigent clients, representing them in both the District Court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ronnie has also had a distinguished career in politics and public service outside of his law practice. He was a State Senator in Tennessee's General Assembly for nine years, ably serving the people of District One. He served on both the Judiciary Committee and as Chairman of the Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee. Ronnie also served as a Special Assistant in then-Governor Lamar Alexander's first term, forming a friendship and a bond that continues to this day. You can't demand respect from the people of northeast Tennessee, you have to earn it, and Ronnie has without question. He is known for his sense of fair play and his compassion for others. With his easy-going, thoughtful manner, yet quick mind and keen legal ability, he has the temperament and judgement required for the Federal bench. For the last nineteen years, Judge Thomas Hull has served as District Judge in Tennessee's Eastern District, and his distinguished career will long be remembered. While Judge Hull leaves big shoes to fill, I am confident Ronnie is up to the task. Mr. President, Ronnie Greer's dedication to the citizens of our State, his love of the law, and his desire to serve his country make him an ideal choice to serve as a U.S. District Judge. He has my highest recommendation and unqualified support, and I am delighted to urge my colleagues to vote for his confirmation today.

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the nomination.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Yes.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10 a.m. At 10 o'clock, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 14, the Energy bill. Pending is the Reid second- degree amendment to the Feinstein first-degree amendment on the issue of derivatives. There are a number of Members who are reviewing those amendments at this time. It is a complicated issue. I know that a number of people, including the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, will want to speak on the amendment. In the interim, it is my hope that we will continue to make progress on the bill and work through other amendments that may be offered. Also, as we have discussed over the course of this week, we would like to be able to lock in a list of the remaining amendments to the Energy bill during today's session. I remind my colleagues we will vote on the confirmation of the nomination of Richard Wesley to be a Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit at 11:15 this morning. In addition, there are a number of other Executive Calendar nominations ready for votes, and we will attempt to set a time certain for votes on those as well. Also, with respect to the schedule, Senator McConnell has continued to work for a vote on the Burma sanctions bill. I am very hopeful that over the course of the morning we will be able to address this very important and timely issue and bring this to closure. As I indicated yesterday, I fully support his efforts and we will work for a resolution today. The Senate, I believe, should speak loudly and clearly on the recent actions in Burma. We would also like to consider and complete the FAA reauthorization this week, and we will continue to look for a way to schedule that matter. In addition, there are other issues I have mentioned each morning on which we are working. It is important for our colleagues to come together so we can address them in a straightforward and timely manner, including the issue surrounding the bioshield bill.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST. Yes.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity in morning business to comment on issues of current events but also tied to the events of the last several years. The issues relate to the natural and the unnatural emergence and use of biology and microbes that have resulted in a convergence of two issues. One is this natural occurrence and one is the use of microbes, bacteria, viruses potentially as bioterror agents, all of that coupled with another nexus, globalization, the realization and evolution of a much smaller world in which we all live. Globalization is generally addressed in the context of economics, economies of countries, information technologies, coffee shop franchises, luxury hotels, luxury clothing--what labels are on the backs of those sweaters and shirts--Internet surfing, instant messages. Globalization has helped democratize faraway countries. It has brought wealth and comfort to many of the world's peoples. But it has always exposed us to new vulnerabilities which we have read about in recent years and, indeed, we read about each day in the papers. Specifically, globalization has brought us much closer to the threat of natural disease as well as disease used potentially as an instrument of terror. We can take, for example, the outbreak of monkeypox about which we are reading and listening today. We know monkeypox causes fever, headache, cough, and an extremely painful rash with pus-filled sores that can spread across the body. We know in children and those individuals who have a suppressed immune system, whether it is because of cancer or treatment for cancer or other autoimmune diseases, it can cause death. Monkeypox is suspected to have originated with the importation of an exotic pet, actually a rather popular exotic pet called the Gambian giant rat. Then the monkeypox virus apparently jumped to infect the pet prairie dogs, and then jumped to infect human beings. We know there are 37 suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox that are currently being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control. Public health officials, we learn, fear the prairie dog owners will release their infected pets into the wild and, thus, spread the disease through communities, regions, and, indeed, throughout North America. Some also believe that this outbreak of monkeypox is the tip of a growing problem of infectious diseases being brought into the country through the importation of exotic animals. Not too long ago--and, in fact, even right now--we focused on SARS. As we have seen with SARS, international travel by humans is also proving to be a conduit of disease. As I speak, Toronto is struggling with yet another suspected outbreak of SARS and at any point could go back on the World Health Organization's travel advisory list. The SARS epidemic continues to disrupt international travel, continues to affect and, indeed, depress national economies. Monkeypox, SARS, West Nile virus, which we know is seasonal--it has been 4 years since it first arrived in New York, and it has claimed 284 deaths and 4,156 infections. Several years ago, people did not know what West Nile virus was. Several months ago we did not know what SARS was, and several days ago we did not know what monkeypox was. Last year, just in this region of Maryland, Virginia, and the District, the West Nile virus killed 11 people. After what has been a wet spring in this region, where mosquito breeding is facilitated, officials fear-- again not to be an alarmist--there will be another explosion of infections this summer. West Nile has spread across the United States of America. It is now firmly established, entrenched as a North American disease. West Nile, SARS, and now monkeypox--we will see emerging infections continue to appear, at least at this rate. These are the natural health threats. Equally alarming is this whole arena of bioterrorism, the use of microbes, viruses, bacteria, and other microbes as biological weapons to threaten others. This very body, the Senate, has been attacked with anthrax. We know there is an entity called the plague which, indeed, wiped out about a third of Europe in the 1300s. We know the risk of smallpox. We know one gram of botulinum toxin, if aerosolized, has the potential for taking the lives of a million and a half people. I mention all of this not to be an alarmist but to give some definition to what I think we all know today but we did not think very much about 3 or 5 years ago, and that is these threats, those of bioterrorism and the naturally occurring, are real. With regard to bioterrorism, I do commend President Bush for successfully leading America and indeed the world to face these new realities of terrorists. We have disrupted terrorist networks. We have frozen terrorist assets. We have removed terrorist leaders and indeed have arrested more than 3,000 individual terrorists worldwide. We have toppled two of the world's most notorious terrorist regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq with decisive victories. With regard to our domestic response, we are finally rebuilding our public health system after a long period of neglect. As a nation, this has enabled us to respond, in an appropriate way, to the potential spread of SARS much more effectively than other countries. We must continue to invest in and enhance our public health system to detect and respond to such emergencies, for, as I said earlier, we will see more. We must actively lead the way to develop new treatments in vaccines, and that is why when I come to the floor each morning and mention the importance of vaccine research, vaccine development, and specifically bioshield legislation, which is sitting before this body perched and ready for us to act upon it, but there are certain problems we have had among ourselves in coming to an agreement, how best to bring that to the floor--but that bioshield legislation is in exact response to these issues I mention today. I should also add that we, and our friends and allies across the world, must not allow other countries to pursue biological weapons programs. President Bush has set the United States, with the help of our allies, along a proper course to ultimately win the war on terror. I, for one, am grateful he and his national security team have answered the call to serve in this perilous time. We will defeat the forces of terror. We must take our enemies seriously, but because of globalization they are closer than ever. I am optimistic. We have an obligation in this body to respond and indeed prepare for and prevent, whether it is those naturally occurring infections or any attempt of others to use these biological agents as weapons of mass destruction. I yield the floor.

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, let me take a few minutes to comment on what is taking place today in the release of some initial working documents on Medicare modernization by members of the Finance Committee. Prefacing that, I will say that we have a lot of work to do over the next 3 weeks in order to address an issue that is important to every single American, and that is giving our seniors and individuals with disabilities health care security. Today there are about 35 million seniors on Medicare and about 5 million individuals with disabilities. We are also speaking to and acting for those soon-to-be seniors in future generations. I commend my colleagues who have done yeoman's work--Senator Baucus and Senator Grassley--and for their commitment to advancing Medicare modernization, strengthening and moving Medicare down the field so we can deliver that health care security to our seniors. The goal is twofold: to strengthen and improve Medicare and, at the same time, provide meaningful prescription drug benefits to seniors and Americans with disabilities. I recognize it is a huge challenge to address this very complex program but it is one that I know this body is up to, one we have been working very hard on for years, and it is one that I believe we can accomplish in the next 3 weeks in the Senate. There were a couple of concerns raised in the last several days that I briefly want to mention. First, where are we and why act now? Why can we not wait and put this off? It is driven very much by the demographics of the aging population, where, over the next 30 years, we will have a doubling in the number of seniors; but in terms of workers actually paying into the program itself, that will be falling off continually over time. Thus, we need to take this opportunity while we are adding this prescription drug benefit to modernize the program so seniors and individuals with disabilities will continue to get good care and hopefully improve that care in this environment where we have to address the issues of solvency and sustainability. The Finance Committee has held over 30 hearings on Medicare over the past 4 years, at least 7 devoted to prescription drug coverage alone. Last Friday, now 4 days ago, the Finance Committee had another hearing to focus very specifically on the proposal put forth by Chairman Grassley and Senator Baucus. That was the third committee hearing this year on Medicare. On Thursday of this week, the day after tomorrow, the Finance Committee will meet in executive session to amend and vote on the Grassley-Baucus proposal. And then the following week, on that Monday, that bill will be brought to the floor of the Senate and will be debated and likely amended in some shape or form over a 2-week period. We are approaching this issue in a systematic way, in an orderly way, in a way that is reasonable, and in a way that is thoughtful. Some concerns people are talking about are that Medicare denies some seniors coverage. Let me be clear, we will make sure this coverage is available to every senior everywhere. We will specifically be working to ensure access in rural areas. We will be creating public-private partnerships that will offer choice--again, it is voluntary--but will be offering choice for all seniors in every corner of America. Secondly, many seniors want the certainty of knowing nothing is going to be taken away from them. Seniors might ask: Do I have to give up what I have now? Are you forcing me into some new system? The answer is no. This is a voluntary program. All of us will be able to look every senior in their eyes and say: You can keep exactly what you have now if that is what you want, if that is what you desire. We will be able for the first time to say there are options that include choices you may not have today in Medicare, such as preventive care, such as chronic disease management. The fact is the current program is fragmented. It does not provide adequate coverage. I know as a physician and I strongly believe as a policymaker it does not adequately cover preventive care. It does not cover disease management or chronic disease management. As we all know, it does not cover outpatient prescription drugs. I do believe good health depends on giving seniors good options, the opportunity to choose the plan that best meets their needs. I have also heard about Medicare reform proposals relating to HMOs, forcing people into HMOs. This plan does not do that. Simply, this plan does not force anybody into an HMO. It is a voluntary proposal. Some HMOs have performed very well. But the better comparison, instead of looking at HMOs, is the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. Seniors will have the option to get a plan similar to what we have as Senators, Members of the House, and other Federal employees have. I should add, this program has a longer history than Medicare. We have learned how to improve it, modify it, and make it a better program over the last 40 years. I close by saying I believe seniors deserve the options that Federal employees have. We know Federal employees are very satisfied with the quality of care they receive. Seniors deserve this opportunity to choose. They deserve the opportunity to obtain care that is more flexible, that is less bureaucratic, and that has less paperwork. Seniors deserve care that keeps them healthy by incorporating those preventive measures. Seniors deserve care that protects them from catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses. America's seniors should have the ability to see the doctor they choose, even if that doctor is outside the network. America's seniors deserve a system that focuses on their needs to keep them healthy and not just to respond to acute episodic illness. Since 1965, Medicare has admirably served a generation of America's seniors. We owe tomorrow's seniors no less. That will take a response in this body to give seniors access to the care they truly deserve. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen and improve Medicare over the next few weeks.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will resume consideration of S. 14, the Energy bill. Under the order from last night, Senator Dorgan's amendment regarding hydrogen fuel cells will be debated under a 30-minute time limit. A vote will occur in relation to that amendment at sometime this morning before the recess for the policy luncheons. The Senate will recess for the policy meetings from 12:30 to 2:15 today. Other Energy amendments will be debated during today's session, and therefore Senators can expect votes throughout the day. Again, I will state that each day we continue to work towards a filing deadline or a list of amendments to the Energy bill. I will be consulting with the Democratic leadership to see when we might lock in a list of amendments to this bill. I am very hopeful we can do that as soon as possible. It is also our hope to reach a consent agreement to allow the Senate to consider the Burma sanctions bill introduced by the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, the majority whip. He will want to speak on this issue shortly. We will continue to press for a consent agreement on this measure. At this juncture, I will withhold a few of the comments I want to make on an issue we will be addressing in 2 weeks on Medicare and strengthening Medicare, but at this juncture I will yield to the assistant minority leader for comments and then the Senator from Kentucky.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Yes.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to make a few comments on Medicare and the importance of strengthening and improving Medicare. We are addressing this in the Finance Committee currently and will have it on the floor of the Senate. I want to take this opportunity first to comment on the exchange that we heard on the floor. As my friend and distinguished colleague from Kentucky stated, both the majority leader and the minority leader are sponsors and strongly support the legislation on Burma. Burma's brutal military regime is perpetrating a wave of crackdowns, including incarcerating the Nobel Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi. That is why there is this sense of immediacy and why we feel very strongly that this bill should be addressed on the floor of the Senate. I am very hopeful, in spite of the reaction to the unanimous consent request we just heard on the floor, that over the course of the morning we can work out what is necessary to bring this legislation to the floor and have a vote on it today. I do join my colleagues in supporting this and the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, introduced by Senator McConnell and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senators Feinstein, McCain, Leahy, Specter, Kennedy, Mikulski, Kyl, Daschle, and many others who will be added over the course of the morning. The legislation, importantly, among other things, would impose a U.S. import ban on goods manufactured in Burma and those made by what is called the State Peace and Development Council, SPDC, and companies that are owned by the SPDC. It would also freeze the assets of the regime itself that are held in the U.S. and require the U.S. to oppose and vote against loans or other assistance proposed for Burma by international financial institutions. Why? Because the situation in Burma indeed is severe. After what apparently was an assassination attempt of Aung San Suu Kyi, who won a landslide victory in Burma's last election, authorities now hold, as we all know, this duly elected leader and numerous other activists--we don't know exactly how many--incommunicado. Reports indicate that Suu Kyi is being held in a military camp about 40 kilometers outside of Rangoon. It is believed that she does suffer from some injuries and lacerations of her face and an injured shoulder. This is all current news. Again, there is a sense of urgency for us as a government to act and demonstrate our focus on this issue. Meanwhile, it is reported that the military regime has raided the offices of Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy, tearing down party flags and padlocking doors all across the country. Reportedly, military intelligence agents are posted outside the offices, preventing any entry at the offices in Rangoon and Mandalay. The regime has placed numerous democracy movement leaders under house arrest, surrounding their homes and severing telephone lines. I mention this again to explain why we are attempting to bring this legislation directly to the floor. I commend my colleagues for their efforts on behalf of the Burmese people. As the strongest and most free nation in the world, I do believe we have a profound duty to support that struggle for freedom. Again, I am hopeful that we can address it this morning and over the course of the day.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning there will be an hour of morning business for Senators to give statements and introduce legislation. At 1 p.m. today, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 14, the Energy bill. Chairman Domenici will be here and available for Members to come to the floor today and to offer their amendments. Last week, in addition to finishing action on the child tax credit and the Defense authorization bill, we were able to make progress on the Energy bill. The Senate worked its will on a number of amendments relating to ethanol. We conducted six rollcall votes on that issue last week, and I thank all Members in the energy debate last week and look forward to their continued participation over the course of this week. We will continue to move forward on this important legislation to produce a national energy policy which our Nation so badly needs. To this end, we will continue to have discussions with the other side of the aisle in an effort to reach an agreement on the remaining amendments to the Energy bill. We would like to finish consideration of the bill this week, so it is my hope that we will have a filing deadline for amendments to allow the chairman and the ranking member to work through an amendment list. Again, we are working with the chairman and ranking member and our colleagues to produce such a list. As a reminder, there will be a rollcall vote today beginning at 5:45. That vote will be on the confirmation of the nomination of Michael Chertoff to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. For the remainder of the week, Chairman Domenici will continue to process amendments on the Energy bill. In addition, we are working on an agreement for the FAA reauthorization bill. This week, we will be looking for the appropriate window to consider that reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Also, we will continue to work toward consent agreements on the State Department authorization bill as well as the bioshield bill so that they can be placed on the Senate's schedule as well. This week, we will likely--almost certainly--consider a bill on which Senator McConnell has been working related to Burma and proposed sanctions. Finally with respect to the schedule, I would remind my colleagues that on Monday of next week--that is, 7 days from today--the Senate will begin consideration of a Medicare improvement and prescription drug bill. Members should expect busy sessions during both this week and the 2 following weeks; that is, the total of the coming 3 weeks prior to the next scheduled adjournment. We have had a very productive session thus far. I do want to thank all Members for their hard work and cooperation.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I appreciate the comments of the assistant Democratic leader. We are in discussions. The real objective is to have a list of amendments so we can have the definition to both gather support on both sides of the aisle and to really give a focus so we can establish a roadmap by which we can adequately debate, adequately amend this bill appropriately so. That is the purpose. Again, we are working on both sides of the aisle, with the two managers of the bill to that end. Mr. President, I want to very briefly comment on the last 2 weeks. As we start each week--at least as I start each week, I can't help but come in early Monday morning and look at where we have been and project where we are going. As I laid out the schedule, where we are going is pretty clear, in terms of how we will spend the next 3 weeks on the floor of the Senate. I hope the clarity and the specific plan that I lay out--recognizing it can be modified at any time and should be modified according to circumstances that arise over the course of the day, but I hope that outlook, that vision of where we are going, that agenda setting, does facilitate the overall action, debate, and amendment process of this body. It also gives me the opportunity to look back over the last 2 weeks. Indeed, as I look back over the last 2 weeks, we made huge progress, I believe, especially for America's taxpayers. That 2003 jobs and growth bill passed by Republicans in the Senate, signed by President Bush, will provide an average of $1,786 in tax relief for over 45 million married couples. Forty million families with children will see their taxes lowered by over $1,549. Six million single mothers will receive an average tax cut of over $550. Twelve million elderly taxpayers will receive an average tax cut of $1,401. Meanwhile, 3 million individuals and families will be taken off the tax rolls completely. Indeed, that is progress. That is action. That is delivery for the American people. Republicans in the House and Senate worked hard to provide this substantial tax relief for America's working families. Indeed, we have delivered. Democrats spent a lot of time talking about tax relief for minimum- wage families. But it was the Republicans who took action and got tax relief done. Thanks to Republicans, the Senate now has provided tax relief for families at all income levels, including middle-class families in which both parents work. Working families will now have extra money in their budgets to pay the bills, to purchase clothes, to put food on the table, and maybe even take a family road trip. Last week, we passed a second tax bill that provides additional tax relief for families with children. This bill included some important tax reforms as well. This second family tax relief bill in 2 weeks creates a uniform definition of a child. Instead of five confusing and even seemingly conflicting and separate definitions, the Tax Code has been simplified to make it easier for folks to fill out the forms and get the tax relief to which they are entitled. Tax simplification has been a longstanding goal of Republicans. Expect more efforts on the part of Republicans to make the Tax Code more understandable and less burdensome for America's tax filers. That family tax relief bill will also accelerate the currently scheduled increase in the refundability of the child tax credit, and it will phase in the elimination of a marriage penalty that is built into that current formulation of the credit. These fixes will allow the child tax credit to benefit more middle-income families. Together, just in the last 2 weeks, the 2003 jobs and growth package coupled with the family tax relief bill provide the third largest tax relief in the history of the United States. These actions have helped lift consumer confidence. Interest rates and inflation remain low. Credit conditions have improved as long-term interest rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1950s. Families are rebalancing their debt from short-term consumer credit to longer term credit such as mortgages--a wise and prudent move. We are seeing declines in energy prices. We have a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Economic growth increased 1.6 percent in the first quarter of this year, up slightly from 1.4 percent in the last quarter of this year. Many economists expect continued growth in the current quarter. Consensus forecasts expect growth to approach 3.7 percent by the final quarter of this year. I say this in a very optimistic vein as we look to the future. Yet there are some clouds. We heard last week the unemployment rate has risen to levels last seen in the economic upturn of 1994. This suggests the growth in the economy over the last few years has been in large part due to rapid productivity gains. In addition, since 1999, the rising cost of health benefits has exceeded the growth in wages and salaries. As a result, health care costs are driving up the cost of hiring and employing workers. In other words, good jobs are becoming more expensive--another important reason we need to strengthen Medicare, to save and preserve and strengthen and indeed modernize Medicare and add prescription drug coverage the right way, not just giving new benefits without consideration that we have an obligation to make sure whatever we promise can be sustained, not just in the short term and in the midterm but in the long term. We need to look at all the ways we can expand the economy, and in turn increase the supply of good jobs for America's workers. If we look to the last 2 weeks and project over the next 3 weeks as we have addressed tax relief and tax reform, a sound sustainable energy policy as well as strengthening and improving Medicare and adding a prescription drug benefit, I think the American people and our colleagues will agree we are moving America forward by doing business in a sound and productive way. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Unanimous Consent Agreement--H.R. 1308

Mr. FRIST. Yes. Amendment No. 841 Withdrawn

Mr. FRIST. We will proceed with that. It makes the most efficient use of everyone's time.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 52, H.R. 1308; that immediately upon the reporting of the bill, Senator Grassley be recognized to offer a substitute amendment on behalf of himself, Senators Lincoln, Snowe, Baucus, and Voinovich; provided further that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided between Senators Grassley and Baucus or their designees prior to a vote in relation to the amendment, and that no other amendments be in order; provided further that if the amendment is agreed to, the bill be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to a vote on final passage of the bill as amended. Further, I ask that if the amendment is not agreed to, then H.R. 1308 be placed back on the calendar and that no points of order be waived by this agreement. I further ask consent that following that vote, the Senate then insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House, and the Chair then be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate with a ratio of 3 to 2. Finally, I ask unanimous consent that following passage of the bill, the amendment to the title be agreed to.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for the benefit of my colleagues, we will have further announcements later in this evening. We would expect to have a final rollcall vote for the week approximately 30 or 40 minutes from now. Although we will have no more rollcall votes after that, we will stay and be available to debate amendments tonight, and we will be in session tomorrow. We expect not to have rollcall votes tomorrow. We will have further announcements later tonight with regard to the schedule tomorrow, as well as Monday.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, there will be a period of morning business until 11 a.m. There are several legislative and executive matters that the Senate will consider during today's session. Following morning business, it is possible that the Senate will resume consideration of the Defense authorization bill, as provided under the consent agreement of May 23. Under that order, we should be able to finish action on that bill within a couple of hours and then send it to conference with the House. We will also resume consideration of the Energy legislation today. We made very good progress on the ethanol issue yesterday. However, I understand that additional amendments will be offered on that matter. It is my hope that Members offer their ethanol amendments so the Senate can then begin to consider other energy-related amendments. In addition, discussions are underway to devise a process for consideration of the child tax credit legislation, as we talked about yesterday on the floor. We are now discussing the best way to address this very important issue. It will be addressed and, over the course of the morning, a final decision will be made on what is the fairest and most efficient way to address the child tax credit legislation. The chairman of the Finance Committee introduced his legislation yesterday and is working with many colleagues on the best course of action so that we can expeditiously consider that bill. We are also working to clear additional nominations during today's session. Members should expect votes throughout the day, and Senators will be notified when the first vote is scheduled. I am going to make a very brief statement on Medicare. I will proceed with that and then we can proceed in morning business.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I close my opening remarks today by commenting on an issue that will be talked about later in morning business. It has to do with the development and launching of legislation on the National Museum of African American History. I thank, in particular, the Presiding Officer of the Senate now, Senator Brownback, for his leadership on this issue. Also, I thank Senator Dodd, Senator Lott, Senator Santorum, Senator Stevens, Representative John Lewis of Georgia, and Representative J. C. Watts for their outstanding efforts in launching the National Museum of African American History. Currently, there is no national museum that honors the African- American story, and my colleagues seek to change that. They have introduced legislation to plan and construct a museum within the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving African-American history at a national level. The legislation sets forth a joint Federal-private partnership for building the museum and authorizes $17 million for the first year to launch the museum council which will be comprised of leading African Americans from the museum, historical, and business communities. The Museum of African American History will help educate all Americans and visitors alike on the rich history of African Americans and their essential role in transforming America's politics, its culture, its character, and its soul. I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their commitment and for their leadership in this important endeavor. Mr. President, I yield the floor.