Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, parliamentary inquiry: Have the yeas and nays been ordered?

Mr. LOTT. I ask for the yeas and nays on this vote after my closing remarks.

Mr. LOTT. One other inquiry: Has all time been used except for the time reserved for the majority leader?

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to begin by assuring all of my colleagues that I will not use the entire 15 minutes, so we can begin the vote hopefully 5 or 10 minutes early. Senators need to be aware of that so they can come and begin the vote within the next 10 minutes. Mr. President, this nomination has not been an easy one for the Senate Judiciary Committee or the Senate to deal with without some difficulty. You can argue about why that is. But we have come to it, and now we are ready to vote. Only nine times in our history has the Senate defeated one of the President's nominees for his Cabinet and only once since 1959. When I was a new Senator in 1989, I observed what I thought was a terrible miscarriage of justice against former Senator John Tower. John Tower should have been Secretary of Defense. I was really disappointed in how he was savaged and how some of his colleagues in this body treated him. Only one time in 40 years have we not confirmed the President's nomination for a Cabinet position, and that, I am convinced, was a terrible mistake. Today we will confirm former Senator John Ashcroft to be Attorney General. That is as it should be. I have been disappointed by this nomination's process through the Judiciary Committee, and to a degree here, although less so on the floor of the Senate. I thought the rhetoric got too hot. It did get into the range of being unfair. But I don't think we should let that permanently alter the atmosphere we have tried to set in the Senate. I have tried to get through some items that would allow us to move forward in a positive vein. I think congratulations also would be in order, and certainly a word of appreciation for the leadership on the Democratic side of the aisle. Senator Daschle has tried to help get us through this nomination. He made it clear that he would not participate in a filibuster. I do not recall in the 30- something years I have been watching the Senate very closely a Cabinet nomination being filibustered. It would be a terrible precedent. He spoke out, saying he wouldn't do it, that he wouldn't support it. To those who said we shouldn't have a filibuster, I say thank you for that. There will be those who will speak out about what this vote means, if it is not 60 votes, or if it is 69 over 61, or whatever it may be. I think that will be a futile waste of time. I don't think we should read anything into it. This nominee is going to be confirmed, and he should be. The President of the United States, George W. Bush, is entitled to have his selection to be Attorney General. I want to say also that I know John Ashcroft. I know him as a man. I knew him as a Senator. I knew him as a close personal friend, and I knew him as a member of the Singing Senators as we sang all across this country together. I have been in his home. I know his wife. I know his children. I know his constituents. I have been all over Missouri. He has been in my home. He knows my friends, and we have been together in many instances. I don't know this person who has been described in some of the debate; some of these allegations about things he did, or didn't do, or whether or not he is a man of his word. I do not know that person. I know John Ashcroft. I know the man who served in this Chamber. I know his abilities, his education, and his qualifications. I don't think there has ever been a more qualified person by background, education, and experience to be Attorney General than John Ashcroft. I remember 8 years ago, when I voted to confirm the previous Attorney General, thinking that this nominee was not qualified, and I think she proved it. But I voted for her because I thought President Clinton was entitled to his nominee at that point. So we have a man who is qualified. But it is more than that. John Ashcroft is a good man of high veracity and who will keep his word. Senator Byrd said yesterday, I believe, in his speech that he has made a commitment he is going to uphold the law. What more should we want: A pound of flesh? I realize this is all about other things. That is OK. But it is unfair to this man. Maybe the ravens will be heard never more. But forevermore you can quote me on this and remind me on this. John Ashcroft will go on to be one of the best Attorneys General we have ever had. He will be conscientious. He will show capability. He will be sensitive. He will be honest. He will enforce the laws--some laws that have been ignored the last 8 years--and maybe there are some people who are a little nervous about that. But, as we say in all kinds of different circles in America, I am here to vouch for their man. I vouch for John Ashcroft. I will stand by him. And you mark my words, he will go on to be a great and valuable Attorney General. So let's move on. Let's work together, as I know we can do. I accept the olive branch extended by Senator Russ Feingold. That is what he said. I extend the olive branch to show a willingness to work together and reach across the aisle and across all the other things that could divide us. He showed courage. I will not forget it. In fact, I think I maybe didn't forget it in advance because we have already worked out an agreement on how we are going to bring up a bill about which he cares a lot. But that was an important statement on his part. I accept it. We accept it. That is the way we should proceed. This new President has changed the tone in this city. Absolutely, people are astounded by his willingness to reach out and to listen and to be heard. He is meeting with everybody. He has even seen motion pictures with them. So he is doing his part. Let us make sure the Senate does its part. Vote for John Ashcroft. You won't regret it. Then let's move on to important legislation. Let's argue about ideas. Let's argue about how to make education better. Let's argue about how to give tax relief-- ``return to sender,'' as the Senator from Georgia said. That is what the people want us to talk about. They want to get this vicious and partisan stuff behind us and deal with real issues. I don't think insurmountable damage has been done. I believe we can build on the other things we have done in the last month. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Are you making a request or observation?

Mr. LOTT. On Tuesday, following the weekly recess, at 2:15 we will proceed to the nomination of Robert Zoellick to be USTR for up to 2 hours. Therefore, a rollcall vote will occur at 4:15 on Tuesday on that nomination, by a previous consent. On Wednesday, the Senate is expected to consider the U.N. dues bill. Therefore a vote or votes could occur, then, on Wednesday of next week relative to that legislation, and on Thursday with relation to the pipeline safety bill. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, is Senator Leahy going to speak?

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I understand S. 235 is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I should note that the purpose in taking this action now is to get this legislation ready for consideration next week. Senator Daschle and I are trying to get in a position to have the Zoellick nomination on Tuesday, the U.N. dues issue on Wednesday, and the pipeline safety legislation next week. These are all issues we are all very familiar with that have broad support. I believe we can do the three of them next week without any problem.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until the hour of 10 a.m. on Monday, February 5, for a pro forma session only. No business will be transacted during Monday's session. The Senate would immediately adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6. I further ask consent that on Tuesday, 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 proceed to a period of morning business until 12:30, to be divided in the following fashion: Senator Daschle or his designee controlling the time between 9:30 and 11 a.m.; Senator Hutchison of Texas or her designee controlling the time between 11 a.m. and 12:30.

Mr. LOTT. I have no objection to that addition to the request.

Mr. LOTT. I further ask consent that the Senate stand in recess between the hours of 12:30 and 2:15 in order for the weekly caucuses to meet.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. We have a couple of agreements we have worked out we want to get in place. Mr. President, I ask consent that immediately following the reconvening of the Senate on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Robert Zoellick to be the U.S. Trade Representative, and if not reported at that time, the nomination be discharged and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, and that there be up to 2 hours of debate, equally divided, between the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Finance Committee. I further ask consent that at 4:15 on Tuesday the Senate proceed to vote on the confirmation, and following the confirmation, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified, and the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I appreciate the fact there is no objection. I believe this nominee will be confirmed overwhelmingly, probably even unanimously. There is a feeling by Senators on both sides of the aisle that this trade issue is very important. This is an important position. A number of Senators did want to be able to have an opportunity to speak about our trade relations and our trade agreements around the world. That is why it was not completed this afternoon. I believe it will be done in regular order on Tuesday.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I believe we have some Senators committed to speak after that, at least two more within the next hour, interspersed with other speakers.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, the Senate resume the Ashcroft nomination in executive session and the time be allocated in the following fashion: 9 a.m. to 9:15 under the control of the majority party; 9:15 to 9:30 under the control of Senator Harkin; from 9:30 to 9:45 under the control of Senator Johnson; from 9:45 to 10 a.m. under the control of the majority party; from 10 a.m. until 10:15 under the control of Senator Sarbanes; from 10:15 to 10:30 under the control of the majority party; from 10:30 to 10:45 under the control of Senator Lieberman; from 10:45 to 11 a.m. under the control of the majority party; from 11 o'clock to 11:10 under the control of Senator Edwards; from 11:10 to 11:15 under the control of Senator Gramm of Texas; from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. under the control of Senator Wellstone; Senator Leahy or his designee from 11:45 to 12:15; Senator Hatch or his designee in control from 12:15 to 12:45 in the afternoon; and Senator Daschle or his designee from 12:45 in the afternoon to 1:15; Senator Bond in control from 1:15 to 1:30; and Senator Lott in control from 1:30 to 1:45. I ask unanimous consent that at 1:45 the Senate proceed to a vote on the confirmation of the nomination of John Ashcroft to be Attorney General of the United States.

Mr. LOTT. I believe this would indicate that the vote will be not later than 1:45. If Senators yield back their time or don't use the entire time, and we could finish at an early hour--11:30 or 12:00--I would be very appreciative of that. I would be willing to yield some of my own time to accomplish that. If we see we are ready to proceed to a vote at noon tomorrow, certainly, I would like to be able to do that. I thank Senator Leahy, and especially Senator Reid, for working this agreement out, and to all Senators who have been willing to accomplish it so we can complete this debate and get a vote.

Mr. LOTT. In light of this agreement, the next vote will occur on the confirmation of our former colleague, Senator John Ashcroft, not later than 1:45 p.m. tomorrow, and earlier if the time has been yielded back and we are ready to proceed to a final vote.

Mr. LOTT. I am happy to yield.

Mr. LOTT. It is not that late by Senate time. I believe we have one speaker who will speak at 7:50 or so, and if other Senators who haven't spoken would like to get in the queue, we would like them to do that, or Senators who were thinking they want to wait until tomorrow, I think it would be well received if they could go ahead and speak tonight. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. It was in morning business.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before we proceed, I ask unanimous consent that following the time allocated immediately following the back-to- back votes, the Senate proceed to a period of morning business in order to debate the nomination of Senator Ashcroft to be U.S. Attorney General and the time between then and 9 o'clock tonight be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. Further, I ask unanimous consent the next vote be limited to 10 minutes in length.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I will be talking further to your leadership about how we schedule it this week, and I look forward to getting it completed as soon as possible. I yield the floor, Mr. President.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, are there any other proceedings or announcements that need to be made at this time?