Don Nickles

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 1 p.m. Following morning business, the Senate can be expected to consider any number of the following matters: the bill honoring our former colleague, Senator Paul Coverdell; a resolution relative to the energy crisis on the west coast; and/or the nomination of Joseph Allbaugh to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Therefore, votes can be expected to occur during today's session. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. NICKLES

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

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning and the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) are necessarily absent. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning) would vote ``yea.''

Mr. NICKLES

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until the hour of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14. I further ask unanimous consent that immediately following the prayer and the pledge, 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 for morning business until 2 p.m., with Senators speaking for up to 10 minutes each, with the following exceptions: Senator Thomas, or his designee, in control of the time between 10 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.; Senators Collins and Bond controlling the time between 10:40 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Senator Daschle, or his designee, in control of the time between 11 a.m. and 12 noon; Senator Lott, or his designee, in control of 60 minutes; and Senator Daschle, or his designee, in control of 60 minutes.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, tomorrow the Senate will be in session beginning at 10 a.m. Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to the bill regarding copyright and patent laws. A vote is expected to occur on passage of that piece of legislation at approximately 3 p.m. Also, the Senate could consider the Paul Coverdell Peace Corps bill and the small business advocacy bill. Therefore, votes can and should be expected to occur.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12:30 p.m. At 12:30, the Senate will recess for the weekly party conferences. When the Senate reconvenes at 2:15 p.m., there will be an additional period for morning business. This afternoon the Senate may begin consideration of any executive or legislative items available for action. Senators will be notified as votes are scheduled for the week. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I thank the Chair.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that S. 320 be placed on the calendar.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 320, regarding technical changes to patent and copyright laws. Further, I ask unanimous consent that no amendments or motions be in order and that there be up to 1 hour of debate equally divided in the usual form; and following the use or yielding back of time, the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that S. 250 be star printed with the changes at the desk.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) is necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Byrd and Senator Harkin.

Mr. NICKLES. I thank the Senator.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, tomorrow the Senate will not be in session. The Senate will next convene on Monday for a pro forma session only. The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and conduct morning business until 12:30 p.m. Following the weekly recess, and some additional morning business, at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, it is the majority leader's intention to turn to any legislative and executive calendar items that may be cleared for consideration.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, as amended, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to.

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 14 and the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, there is an amendment at the desk, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until the hour of 10 a.m. on Monday, February 12, for a pro forma session only. No business will be transacted during Monday's session. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate then immediately adjourn over until Tuesday, February 13, at 9:30 a.m. I further ask unanimous consent that immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then proceed to a period for morning business until 12:30 p.m., to be divided in the following fashion: Senator Daschle, or his designee, controlling the time between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Senator Murkowski, or his designee, controlling the time between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. in order for the weekly party conferences to meet.

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that when the Senate reconvenes at 2:15 p.m., there be an additional hour for morning business with 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. under the control of Senator Durbin, or his designee, and 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. under the control of Senator Thomas, or his designee.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: No. 15 and all the nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Foreign Service. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 12, S. Con. Res. 6.