Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from New Jersey be given 10 minutes and that I retain the floor at that time.

Mr. STEVENS. I do retain the floor, Mr. President. Does the Senator from New Jersey seek time?

Mr. STEVENS. That is fine. I will be happy to accommodate the Senator's request. I ask unanimous consent for the same procedure then, that I yield to the Senator from North Dakota 10 minutes and recover the floor when he is finished.

Mr. STEVENS. I will be delighted to yield to the Senator. Can we make it 5 minutes in the normal process here? Does the Senator seek more than 5 minutes?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I inquire of the Senator from North Dakota now if he wishes to speak.

Mr. STEVENS. I renew my request that following the Senator from Texas, I be permitted to gain the floor after 5 minutes.

Mr. STEVENS. Does the Senator from North Dakota seek time?

Mr. STEVENS. Does the Senator from Texas now seek time?

Mr. STEVENS. I will be happy to enter into the same agreement with the Senator from North Dakota, 5 minutes and I retain the floor.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, there is no such time agreement. Does the Senator from North Dakota seek time?

Mr. STEVENS. Does the Senator from Texas seek time?

Mr. STEVENS. Minus 55 minutes.

Mr. STEVENS. I will be happy to yield to the Senator from Texas next, but I ask I be permitted to do this now by unanimous consent.

Mr. STEVENS. There is nothing for it to count against. We have not got that agreement. But we will keep it in mind when we have that agreement.

Mr. STEVENS. I am keeping track of it, I say to the Senator from Texas, but I do urge I be allowed to yield 5 minutes to the Senator.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I would say to the Senator from Texas, it is only running on a chart that is up here.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator is trying to make me smile. Very few people can do that. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Wellstone be recognized for 5 minutes and I retain the floor after that time.

Mr. STEVENS. Could we have an understanding how much would be used in total on that side of the aisle, I ask the Senator?

Mr. STEVENS. We have on our side, to my knowledge.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I do seek that we get some understanding about a time limit now. I understand the Senator from California wishes to speak. I do not know how many others wish to speak. May I inquire of the Senator from West Virginia if he understands how many on his side might be willing to speak?

Mr. STEVENS. There is no objection.

Mr. STEVENS. I just want to finish this one thing I am trying to find and that is all.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank both Senators. I want to finish. I just want to read this one statement. Am I out of time?

Mr. STEVENS. ``The additional funds provided by the Appropriations Committee hardly give an unfair advantage to 29 States.''

Mr. STEVENS. Let me read from Senator Chafee's statement.