Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I thank the Senator for his approach on this. Let me make a couple of points. Again, in a way, there is not as big a problem here as indicated. For instance, I have been assured the example that was used about ANWR, this, in fact, would apply to that and a point of order would be in order against the ANWR amendment being added in conference that had not been in the other body. We will work through this. The second point is and one of the reasons why I was prepared to make a point of order, Senator Dodd and I, postcloture, have been very meticulous; even when there were amendments he or I or both of us supported, if they were not germane, we have not included them in the managers' package. We have held the line because once you start allowing exceptions, there is no end to it. We were trying to get through with as strong a package as possible. With that, I yield the floor. Amendment No. 2980

Mr. LOTT. Will the Senator yield?

Mr. LOTT. The Senator started moving toward giving an example. So that I will fully understand exactly what the Senator is trying to get at here, can he give me a couple of examples? He has referred to military, for instance. I don't want to use any particular weapon system because I don't want to make anyone mad, but take generic helicopter. If the Pentagon or the President's budget only included 100 helicopters and a Senator of the Committee on Armed Services, in conference, said no, we are going to make it 200, would that be an example of where the Senator is trying to get this language to apply?

Mr. LOTT. If the Senator would yield for a further question, the language we have would allow for that kind of designation to continue?

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 29, 2006, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Economic Impact Issues in Export-Import Bank Reauthorization.''

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 29, at 9:30 a.m., in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a business meeting on the following bills: (1) S. 2078, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act amendments. (2) S. 1899, Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act amendments. (3) S. 2245, Indian Youth Telemental Health Demonstration Project Act.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Judicial Nominations'' on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 9:30 a.m., in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Panel I: Members of Congress, TBA. Panel II: Brian M. Cogan to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Michael Ryan Barrett to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio; Thomas M. Golden to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 29, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committe on Aging be authorized to meet Wednesday, March 29, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Dirksen 106 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``What's in a Game? State Regulation of Violent Video Games and the First Amendment'' on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 2 p.m. in SD 226. Witness List Panel One: Reverend Steve Strickland, brother of Arnold Strickland, police officer killed by teenager in 2004, Fayette County, AL; Dr. Elizabeth Carll, Ph.D., Chair of Interactive Media Committee, Media Psychology Division, American Psychological Association Long Island, NY; Dr. Dmitri Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Speech Communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL; Dr. David Bickham, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Center on Media and Child Health, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA. Panel Two: Patricia E. Vance, President, Entertainment Software Rating Board New York, NY; Representative Jeff Johnson, Assistant Majority Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives, St. Paul, MN; Paul Smith, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP, Washington, DC; Professor Kevin Saunders, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on U.S.-Burma Relations. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 29, 2006, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to receive testimony on U.S. nonproliferation strategy and the roles and missions of the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy in nonproliferation in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years Defense progam.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing entitled, The War on Terrorism: How Prepared is the Nation's Capital? Part (II).

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearings is to receive testimony on S. 1832, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease oil and gas resources underlying Fort Reno, OK, to establish the Fort Reno Management Fund, and for other purposes; S. 2150, to direct the Secretary of Interior to convey certain Bureau of Land Management land to the city of Eugene, OR; and H.R. 3507, to transfer certain land in Riverside County, CA, and San Diego County, CA, from the Bureau of Land Management to the United States to be held in trust for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, and for other purposes; S. 1056 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the city of Henerson, NV certain Federal land located in the city, and for other purposes; and S. 2373 to provide for the sale of approximately 132 acres of public land to the city of Green River, WY at fair market value.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Seapower authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 29, 2006, at 3:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on Navy/Marine Corps Force structure and future capabilities in review of the Defense Authorization request for Fiscal Year 2007 and the future years Defense Program.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate March 29, at 2:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on global strike plans and programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 10 a.m., on Importance of Basic Research to U.S. Competitiveness.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, further reserving the right to object, the legislative business that is pending, what is the status of that, before the unanimous consent was made?

Mr. LOTT. So Senator Collins would be recognized upon the return from the luncheon period to begin debate on the pending amendment?

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, we have had so much difficulty in getting an agreement to move forward on this legislation; we were not able to do it yesterday or this morning. I really hope that when we return from lunch, we go straight to the pending business and amendment. I would like to accommodate all of our colleagues, but we have struggled so hard to get to this point, I would have to object.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, but I will not object, I was not aware of the purpose of the request, and I understand the sensitivity and the timing of this. We will be prepared to proceed with Senator Collins at 2:25.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I join many of my colleagues who have been speaking today and yesterday extending their heartfelt sympathy to Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia for the loss of the diamond of his life, Erma. She truly was the light of his life. On many occasions, I have eased over into the chair next to Senator Byrd, and we have talked about how blessed we are with our two wives. He knows my wife Tricia and often asks about her, typically the courtesy that Senator Byrd extends to all of us. I have asked him about Erma and how she was doing. We talked a lot about what a difference they have made in our lives. There is no question that he is going to miss her greatly, as will all of the family, I know. To all of them, we extend our heartfelt sympathies. We know the children and grandchildren are with Senator Byrd now and with Mrs. Byrd. I remember an occasion on a Friday afternoon standing here when Senator Byrd asked me to yield. You are not always sure what Senator Byrd is asking you to yield for because it could be that you violated some rule of the Senate. But he asked if I would yield so that he could speak on the beauty of the grandson. I had just had my first grandchild, and it happened to be a grandson. He spoke so beautifully, so eloquently, totally from memory, and ended with a beautiful quote of what a grandson means to a grandfather. I was moved by it, literally to tears. And of course, when it came out in the Congressional Record, I had it framed. It hangs on the wall of my son's home in Paris, KY. Obviously, he doesn't think much of it right now, doesn't fully appreciate it. But some day, he will read that, and I know he will think of his grandfather and where he has served. I tell that story to remind my colleagues about the kind of man Senator Byrd is. He can be a tough adversary. He can cause leaders to have a lot of heartburn. I have had it a couple of times when I was standing here in this place. But it is because he reveres the institution, because he does care about us as individual men and women. He knows about every one of us. He knows about our families. And not only does he love the institution, but he loves knowledge and great history and poetry. Many have quoted from his favorite poem in the last couple of days. I don't have a poem. I don't have some great saying from memory. I only rise to join all the others in saying how much I admire and appreciate this Senator who is an institution in his own right in this body. I know how much he is suffering right now. Sometimes we get so busy these days in this institution, trying to make it move forward or trying to keep up with the mail and the constituents and the flying back and forth, we really need a few who have very firm rudders and their sails set in the right direction for the best interests of the country. I know that is true of Senator Byrd. Again, I extend my best wishes to him. When he returns, I will join all my colleagues in paying my respects to him and my appreciation for the example he set for himself and Erma, his wife of 69 years.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, 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, for the information of all of our colleagues, we should be getting some indication from our leadership soon as to when and how we will proceed on the lobbying and rules reform legislation. Of course, a major part of our time this week will necessarily be involved in considering the immigration reform legislation that was reported out of the Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote on Monday night. But I do think that we should go back to this very important issue also, which has been pending now for 3 weeks. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation from two different committees. It is one of those rare but blessed occasions when Republican and Democrat, chairman and ranking members, can work together. Senator Dodd and I worked together on this legislation, along with Senator Feinstein and other Democrats, to shape the package that came out of the Rules Committee. Senator Collins, the chairman of the very important Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, was able to get legislation out of her committee working with Senator Lieberman of Connecticut. Good work is being done. We were making progress and were about to get into a position where we could have wrapped the legislation up in a couple of days. However, Senator Schumer proposed an amendment involving the Dubai World ports issue, and that caused the legislation to be stopped. That issue now is being dealt with by transferring the responsibility for the operations of those terminals to domestic companies. So that issue is being addressed, for now. I believe Senator Schumer has indicated that he is willing to withdraw his amendment, and we can go forward. The pending business then would be the Wyden amendment on the issue of holds and how secret holds could be dealt with in this body. Some Senators have some concerns about the amendment. I would like for us to step up and address that issue and work with our leaders. That is a Rules Committee issue and I have held a hearing on the issue of holds. I support the Wyden-Grassley approach, but I think that when it involves rules that directly impact how the Senate operates day-to-day, the leaders of our two parties in the Senate have to have major input in how we deal with the issue in the future. There are other issues that are pending that have interest and support. Obviously, one of those is the amendment by Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman dealing with establishing a new Office of Public Integrity. That issue was considered in their committee, and they would like for it to be considered on the floor. I certainly understand that and would be supportive of that because it is supported by these two leaders of that committee. But we have 77 amendments filed as first- degree amendments, most of which are not germane to the bill. So I have to ask my colleagues: Are we serious about lobbying reform and rules reform? There are some good things in here. I don't support all of them, and on a bill of this magnitude nobody is going to support all of it. But I think we need to step up and resolve these issues. We do need reform in the lobbying area and some changes in the rules especially in the area of disclosure. We also need a mechanism to deal with earmarks that have not been considered by either the House or the Senate, and then are inserted in conference reports. We are going to have to deal with all these issues sooner or later. We can do it now or we can do it later. Some people I suspect hope this entire package of reforms will slide off the face of the Earth and disappear. It is not going to. It is here, and it is going to come back. We can do it today if the leaders give us that charge or we can come back to it later as filler or we can be the legislative yo-yo. But this issue is going to be dealt with. I hope we can come up with a way to get it done even today, if possible. We have actually lost a full day. We could have been working on this yesterday afternoon. We could have been working on it this morning. There are other issues that are of interest and concern to the Members and to the leaders, so I understand how that goes. But if every Senator presumes to offer his or her amendment and demand a recorded vote, we will not ever finish it. Maybe the American people are not that focused. Obviously, when I was home I got a lot of questions about immigration, about taxes, but I got one call, just one, about this bill. It was from somebody who was concerned about something they hoped we would not put in the bill. Actually, it was a lobbyist, and I didn't even agree with what he was saying. I think we should reconsider the cloture vote as soon as possible. I will support it no matter at what point it occurs. We can consider two or three of these amendments or several of them or not. But we need to step up to the issue, vote cloture, and complete this legislation as soon as possible. I ask my colleagues: Who wants to take the blame for not getting this done? I was very disturbed about the way this was brought to a halt because I had yielded for what I was clearly told were going to be comments and all of a sudden, we were hit with a second-degree amendment that had no applicability to this at all. We need to get together in a bipartisan way to address this issue, and we need to do it now. If we do not, somebody is going to have to explain it. The way I will explain it is not going to be positive because we have a commitment and we need to go forward with it. I yield the floor.