Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until the hour of 12 noon on Monday, October 4. I further ask consent that on Monday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, 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 until 12:30 p.m. with Senators speaking for up to 10 minutes each, and the time equally divided between the two leaders, or their designees.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I thank Senator Warner for that information and for his plan and for his working and discussing this with Senator Helms. I believe it will add a great deal of vital and interesting information for the Senate, and I am sure he will have testimony based on what he just said on both sides of the issue. That will be helpful. I have no further business at this time. Mr. President, does Senator Daschle have anything further at this time?

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of Treaty Document 105-28 and the document be placed on the Executive Calendar, if not previously reported by the committee. I should note, that is something that was requested by the Democratic leadership, and we think it is a reasonable request. I further ask consent that at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 8, the Senate begin consideration of Treaty Document 105-28 and the treaty be advanced through the various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification, and there be one relevant amendment in order to the resolution of ratification to be offered by each leader. There was a request for additional time for that debate. Therefore, I ask consent that there be a total of 14 hours of debate on the treaty itself, to be equally divided in the usual form, and no other amendments, reservations, conditions, declarations, statements, understandings, or motions be in order, and that amendments be filed at the desk 24 hours before they are called up. I think it is fair. If we are going to have an amendment on our side and the other side, we need some notification of its content. There was a thought we might need additional time for discussion on those amendments. Therefore, I ask there be a time limitation of 4 hours equally divided on each amendment, in addition to the 14 hours, for a total of 18 hours over a 2-day period, but spread over a period of time that I believe will run about 6 days. I further ask consent that following the use or yielding back of time and disposition of the amendments, the Senate proceed to vote on the adoption of the resolution of ratification, as amended, if amended, all without any intervening action or date.

Mr. LOTT. Has the Chair ruled?

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I appreciate the Democratic leader has agreed to this request. We have worked back and forth now over 2 or 3 days. This is a fair approach, especially with the two leaders' amendments, if they are needed, and a guarantee we will file them in time to take a look at them. It is serious. I take it very seriously. I do want to make the Senator aware that at least one chairman has notified me he intends to have three hearings before the final vote--Senator Warner of the Armed Services Committee, which certainly has an interest in this because of what it does involve, weapons. I believe--I cannot confirm the exactness of these dates or that they will be able to do them all--he is thinking in terms of hearings on the 6th, 9th, and 12th, and that is a committee which has a great deal of jurisdiction. I do not know yet if Senator Helms plans additional hearings before the 12th, although certainly that is a possibility now that we have a time agreed to. In addition, I understand there have been discussions with regard to this treaty in the Foreign Relations Committee on February 10, 1998; May 13, 1998; June 3, 1998; June 18, 1998; July 13, 1998; February 24, 1999; and March 23, 1999. Perhaps it was not a full-blown hearing just on that subject; I cannot say, but I refer to these dates that were included in the Record just yesterday by Senator Helms. There will be at least a couple, if not more, hearings in the appropriate committee or committees prior to the final vote. I see Senator Warner is here. He might want to comment on his thinking as to the witnesses and how he plans to proceed.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I commend the Presiding Officer on what an outstanding job he is doing. We appreciate the fact that on this beautiful Friday afternoon, approaching 3 o'clock, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky is here, on duty, and enjoying every moment of it. Now, may I proceed to the closing? Thank you for not responding, Mr. President, to my comments.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 194 submitted earlier by Senator Lott.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to offer this Senate resolution, expressing sympathy by the Congress for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Taiwan on September 21. A similar resolution was introduced in the House and passed yesterday as House Resolution 297. I personally want to express my sadness and deepest sympathy for the many victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan so unexpectedly last week, causing much destruction and many deaths. I ask that the Senate convey to the people of Taiwan our most sincere sympathies about the tragic losses that they have suffered, in both lives and property. With this resolution we call upon the Clinton administration and other members of the international community to do everything possible to assist Taiwan in its time of need so that it may recover rapidly from its terrible losses due to this act of nature. Accordingly, Mr. President, I urge all of my colleagues in the Senate to join with me in expressing our sympathy and support to the people of Taiwan during this tragic and devastating time. Mr. 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 statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: Calendar Nos. 235, 247, 248, 249, 258 through 266, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask the Chair lay before the Senate a message from the House of Representatives on the bill (S. 323) to redesignate the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument as a national park and establish the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 323) entitled ``An Act to redesignate the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument as a national park and establish the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, and for other purposes'', do pass with the following amendment: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate agree to the amendment of the House.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, the Senate proceed to the Transportation appropriations conference report, the conference report be deemed to have been read, and statements by Senators Shelby and Lautenberg be placed in the Record and a vote occur immediately on adoption of the conference report at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want the Senate to know we are still working to get an agreement to take up consideration of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We originally wanted to bring it up next week on October 6. That was objected to by the Democratic leadership. They indicated they thought more time was needed and they needed more time designated for debate. We have now offered to begin on October 8, next Friday, with debate. The debate would go up to 14 hours. We will conclude action on that treaty no later than the close of business on Tuesday, October 12. We are willing to agree to more time on behalf of the leader's amendments if that is necessary. I believe the Democratic leader has indicated his willingness to go to the treaty debate on the 8th and be on it the 12th and conclude it by the 12th, but we are still working on details. There were statements made by the President of the United States in 1998, I believe in his State of the Union Address, and again in 1999, that he wanted the Senate to take up the treaty. I have statements from a number of Democratic Members of the Congress calling for this to be done. We have said to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle we don't think this is a good treaty; we think it puts safety in jeopardy; we think it puts us in a weakened condition internationally; and we think it is dangerous. However, since there have been calls and demands for a vote, we have offered to vote, and we have offered two different dates. We have offered time and more time. I am a little bit puzzled why the Democrats now are saying: We don't want to vote. I presume they are saying it because it may fail. The Senate will have a debate, and the Senate will vote. If there is not a two-thirds vote, it is over; it is defeated. It is hard for me to understand. Do they want it or not? Do they want to debate or not? Do they want to vote or not? I think it shows a little bit about what has been going on all along. I want to assure the Senate, there will be some hearings in the Armed Services Committee with experts in this field. There will be plenty of information on the record. If they want a vote, let's vote; if they don't, let's move on. I don't want to hear more about it for a while. Having said that, I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, let me say that I live in an area of Mississippi that has also had to deal with hurricanes. Three of them have hit my hometown over the last 15 years. We have had to deal with droughts, ice storms, floods, and everything but the plague and locusts. I know how difficult it is for people who are faced with disasters such as the one with which North Carolina is now dealing. I know how tough it is for the people who are trying to dig out from under mud, with dead carcasses, and all that goes with disasters. All of us extend our sympathy to the people of North Carolina and want to reassure them that the Federal Government will do its part, as we always do when people are hit by natural disaster. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution, as amended, and the preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 188, and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, Senator Edwards and Senator Helms have an amendment at the desk to the resolution.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I remind Senators that on Monday, at 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to the Transportation appropriations conference report, and a vote will occur immediately on adoption of that conference report, so there will be at least one recorded vote at 5:30 on Monday, and it is on the Transportation appropriations conference report. I think a lot of credit, once again, goes to our Transportation appropriations subcommittee members. Senator Shelby of Alabama has done a great job with a very important bill. There may be other votes. There could be a vote on or in relation to relevant amendments on the FAA reauthorization bill, since that bill will be debated early in the day Monday. It could be that an amendment or amendments will be available for consideration at that time. But I wanted Senators to be on notice we do have the one vote for sure. Also, all Senators should be aware we will convene at 12 noon and we will have a period for morning business until 12:30. We will take up the FAA reform bill the remainder of that day, then, on Monday, until 4:30, when we will go to, I believe it is, the judicial nominations discussion. We will very likely have recorded votes on Tuesday morning, and then we do have an agreement, I believe, to have recorded votes stacked on three nominations at 2:15 on Tuesday. For the remainder of the week, the Senate will continue debate on the FAA reform bill and complete its action on Tuesday. Then we will return to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill and consider nominations and conference reports that are available. I understand that the Agriculture appropriations conference report will be available on Monday. We could have that vote Monday or Tuesday, if a recorded vote is necessary. We are hoping the Interior appropriations bill will be on the heels of that one, and I believe we are still waiting for the foreign operations conference report. We will interrupt or take as quick action as possible on the conference reports once they are received and we get notification that we intend to have a vote. I do have one further unanimous consent request. I wanted the distinguished Senator from South Dakota to be here. We have continued to work to see if we can get an agreement to vote on the test ban treaty.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if the Senator would yield under his reservation to respond, let me say again, I appreciate the cooperation of Senators on both sides of the aisle, from the Judiciary Committee, and other Senators who have interest in these nominations. It has been a very delicate balance to work through a process where we could get these nominations confirmed. The nominations of Mr. Marrero from, I believe, New York, and Mr. Lorenz from California have not been controversial. They have been cleared for quite some time. We had the unfortunate situation with regard to the nomination of Ted Stewart where we had a cloture vote, which I think both sides would prefer not to have happened. There are reasons for it. But I think it is important we not start down that trail. Both sides have indicated we do not want to start having cloture votes to determine the confirmation of judges. Then also there is the nomination of Mr. Fisher for the Ninth Circuit. So we have here a process where we can have a voice vote on two of them and some debate and votes on the other three: White, Stewart, and Fisher. That is a significant undertaking. That will get us into the process where judges--certainly judges who are not controversial--will not be held up because of controversial judges in other areas. So I just wanted to kind of go through that whole process. With regard to the other two nominations Senator Daschle asks about, I will continue to work with the Democratic leader as well as other Members on his side of the aisle and on my side of the aisle in scheduling executive nominations. I have to go through a process where I have to notify Members that a judicial nomination may be called up and see if there are problems with it, see if that can be worked out, see if we are going to need an extended period of time of debate, see if there is a threatened filibuster. So I will work, as I have in the past, to see if we can get these nominations cleared so we can move forward. I will continue to do that. I will do that on specifically the two that have been mentioned. I will try to find a way to have them considered. I cannot confirm at this point when or how that will be done, but I will continue to work on it. That is one of the reasons that moving these other judges is important. Because it takes time to get the nominations cleared. When you have five that you are close to getting cleared, once you get those out of the way, then you can focus your attention on the remaining judges on the calendar. By the way, I understand there are other basically noncontroversial judges on whom the Judiciary Committee will be meeting, maybe in the next week or two, and there will be more judges on the calendar. So we want to keep moving the ones that can be cleared because there are districts and circuits around the country that do need these judges to be confirmed. I think we can get this request agreed to. It will be positive, and we will be able to continue to work together. I hope that is helpful in responding to Senator Daschle's question.

Mr. LOTT. As in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, October 4, at a time determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination, and it be considered under the following limitations: Executive Calendar No. 172, Ronnie White to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, under a 1-hour time limitation divided as follows: 45 minutes equally divided between the chairman and ranking member; 15 minutes under the control of Senator Ashcroft. I further ask consent that following that debate, the Senate then begin debate en bloc on the nominations of Calendar No. 215, Ted Stewart, and Calendar No. 209, Raymond Fisher. I further ask consent that following the granting of this consent, the nominations of Calendar Nos. 213 and 214 be immediately confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified, and the Senate resume legislative session. I further ask consent that following the debate on Monday on the three nominations, the Senate resume legislative session. I finally ask consent that at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, the Senate resume executive session and proceed to consecutive votes, first on the nomination of Ronnie White, to be followed by a vote on the nomination of Ted Stewart, to be followed by a vote on the nomination of Raymond Fisher. I also ask consent that following the votes, again the President be notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session. Before the Chair rules, I yield to the Democratic leader for his comments and an appropriate response from me.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Alaska for allowing us to enter into some unanimous consent agreements and some colloquy that we have been working on for quite some time. I understand the Senator from Alaska may want to continue after we complete this.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. One other request. I ask unanimous consent that at 5:30 on Monday the Senate proceed--Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like the Record to reflect that Senator Hatch is in agreement with this request. He has worked on it very diligently; also, that he has made a commitment to have hearings and votes on additional nominees in the near future. I do not recall him specifying a day. I think you have some tentative date you have worked on.

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

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 182, and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.