Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. That is correct. I misstated that.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, if I could respond to that, I think that would be up to the Senators. That has been one of my points. I hope we won't just have speeches and that, in fact, we will have deliberations. As we have found ourselves in previous closed sessions, almost uncontrollably we wound up discussing and talking with each other. I hope that if we come to that, the Senators involved in the exchange would make that a part of the record and part of history. I believe they would have that right under this proposal.

Mr. LOTT. It is the desire of one and all to have the opportunity for this record to be made. After the trial is concluded, Senators can have their statements in the closed session put into the Congressional Record--in the record of the trial. There may be Senators that choose, for whatever reason, not to do it in that way at that time. Senator Daschle and I have talked a great deal about this. We think this is the fair way to make that record. We urge that it be adopted.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, so everybody can understand this, may I be recognized?

Mr. LOTT. Therefore, I send this motion to the desk: That the record of the proceedings held in closed session for any Senator to insert their final deliberations on the articles of impeachment shall be published in the Congressional Record at the conclusion of the trial.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I want to make this reminder: Only those people who are properly authorized to be on the floor of the Senate should be here. The Sergeant at Arms will act accordingly. Now, Mr. Chief Justice, there is a desire by a number of Senators that it be possible for their statements, even in closed session, to be made a part of the Record. Senator Daschle and I have talked a great deal about this. We think this is an appropriate way to proceed. Motion Relating to Record of Proceedings Held in Closed Session

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT. On behalf of myself and Senator Daschle, I move to suspend the rules on behalf of Senators Hutchison, Harkin, and others in order to conduct open deliberations. Mr. WELLSTONE addressed the Chair.

Mr. LOTT. This afternoon, the Senate will begin final deliberations on the articles of impeachment. However, pursuant to S. Res. 30, a Senator may at this time offer a motion to suspend the rules to allow the final deliberations to remain open. That motion is not amendable and no motions to that motion may be offered. Therefore, I expect at least one vote to occur shortly. Following that vote, if the motion is defeated, I will move to close deliberations. If that motion should be adopted, the Senate will begin full deliberations, with each Senator allocated 15 minutes to speak. And I note that that will be true whether it is in open or closed session, although Senator Daschle and I may have some further comments to make about that later on. I note that if each Senator uses his or her entire debate time, the proceedings will take 25 hours, not including breaks and recesses. Therefore, I remind all Senators that Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address in less than 3 minutes and Kennedy's inaugural address was slightly over 7 minutes. But certainly every Senator will have his or her opportunity to speak for up to 15 minutes, if that is their desire, and, of course, we would also need to communicate with the Chief Justice about the time of the proceedings. I expect that we will try to go until about 6 or 6:30 this afternoon. I want to confer with Senator Daschle, but I think maybe we will try to begin earlier tomorrow and go throughout the day into the early evening. Again, we do have to take into consideration the fact that about 7 or 8 hours will be the absolute maximum we will probably be able to do in a single day. We will talk further about that and make an announcement before we conclude today. I now yield the floor to the Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, for the purpose of propounding a unanimous consent request.

Mr. LOTT. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. Order of Procedure

Mr. LOTT. I beg your pardon.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I have discussed this with the Democratic leader, and there is no ironclad rule. You know, in our other closed session when we sort of got on a roll, we yielded additional time to each other, and then at some point we started to have a round robin. The Chief Justice probably thought it was all completely out of order, but he allowed us to go forward. I think we will have to deal with that when we get there. I think, as has been the case all the way along, we will be understanding of each other and try to make these deliberations genuine deliberations. I think it would benefit us all in the final result. Before I make a motion to close the doors, I yield to the Senator from Texas, Mrs. Hutchison, for a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. Order of Procedure

Mr. LOTT. This afternoon the Senate will resume consideration of the articles of impeachment. Pursuant to S. Res. 30, the Senate will proceed to final arguments for not to exceed 6 hours, equally divided between the House managers and the White House counsel. At the conclusion of those arguments today, I expect the Senate to adjourn the impeachment trial until tomorrow. We expect tonight, when we go out of the impeachment trial, to have a period for legislative business so we can pass a resolution or consider a resolution with regard to King Hussein. Order for Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Mr. LOTT. I now ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment, to reconvene as a Court of Impeachment at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 1999.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I ask unanimous consent that the February 5, 1999, affidavit of Mr. Christopher Hitchens and the February 7, 1999, affidavit of Ms. Carol Blue be admitted into evidence in this proceeding.

Mr. LOTT. I believe we are ready to proceed, Mr. Chief Justice.

Mr. LOTT. I was hesitant to suggest it too early today, Mr. Chief Justice. (Laughter.) Recess

Mr. LOTT. But on the request of counsel, I ask unanimous consent we take a 10-minute recess. And please return quickly to the Chamber so we can get back to business.

Mr. LOTT. I ask the Court of Impeachment stand in adjournment until 1 p.m. tomorrow, and I ask further consent the Senate now resume legislative session. I remind all Senators to stand as the Chief Justice departs the Chamber.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent we take a 15-minute recess.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, there is a bill at the desk due for its second reading.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the resolution appear in the Record.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise to offer, together with the distinguished Minority Leader Senator Daschle, a resolution recognizing the significant and lasting contributions to peace and security by His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan, who passed away just hours ago. I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of King Hussein--a true patriot and long-time friend of the United States. His bold leadership and personal courage serve as a model to all of us. I know I speak for my colleagues when I say, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the people of Jordan during this difficult time. It is worth noting that the long-standing ties between our two governments are built upon a solid bedrock of respect and shared values. Even as we consider the profound contribution King Hussein made to peace and security the Middle East, it is vitally important for both our nations to take concrete steps to strengthen those relations, for the benefit of all our peoples. That is just as King Hussein would have wanted it. In this regard, I am pleased to not that the resolution before us expresses support and best wishes for the new government in Jordan under King Abdullah. The King has signaled his desire to maintain a high degree of continuity for Jordan, for Middle east peace, for the region, and for U.S.-Jordanian relations. This includes a strong commitment to the Jordan-Israel peace treaty. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution, as it represents a modest but important signal of the degree to which we honor the courageous life and lasting legacy of King Hussein. I thank my colleague from South Dakota for joining me in offering this resolution and I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 7, which is at the desk.