Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. STEVENS. If the Senator will yield, I meant no inference to the Senator from Nevada. He has been most cooperative. We just adopted his amendment by a voice vote because he was so cooperative in working out the terms of that amendment. I am sure we can go forward with his presentation now. But, clearly, without regard to the two of us on the floor now, the delays are taking place off the floor. I think it is time that we get the word out that we are just not going to sit around all day waiting for people to come to the floor. We still have the prerogative of going to third reading and cutting off all amendments.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, yesterday we adopted an amendment that was presented by the Senators from Kentucky, Senators Ford and McConnell. Last evening that amendment was reviewed by the Department of Defense, and they have asked for one very technical correction. We have an understanding with them. It has been agreed to on both sides. I send the modified amendment to the desk, and I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to present this amendment to be a substitute for the amendment that was adopted yesterday.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, this really deletes a provision, as I said, ``notwithstanding any other provision of law.'' It was technically not necessary, and the department did not wish that to be permanent law. I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. Have I substituted that completely for the amendment that was agreed to yesterday?

Mr. STEVENS. We will delete the amendment that we agreed to yesterday?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the amendment, as modified, was agreed to, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 173 (Purpose: To make a technical correction to the fiscal year 1997 VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act concerning EPA State grants)

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I have another amendment. It is a technical correction to the 1997 Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill as it relates to EPA State and tribal assistance grant account. The language in this amendment ensures that should the EPA be required to take over a State environmental program grant, funds otherwise provided to the State would be available to EPA for administering the program. This language represents no change in policy or procedure, and is deemed by the committee to be a technical amendment to existing law. It is an amendment presented in behalf of the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Bond. Mr. President, I send the amendment to the desk.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask for the adoption of the amendment. THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If there be no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 174 (Purpose: To authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the city of Bay City, Michigan, for environmental remediation, using funds previously appropriated for the Center for Ecology Research and Training)

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, this is a technical amendment but does make available to the city of Bay City for environmental remediation the funds remaining available in the grant that was previously made.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Very well. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be temporarily set aside so that the bill will be open for other amendments. We will await the clearance that Senator Byrd has mentioned. I announce that it will be the policy of the committee to have these votes take place, on any amendments presented today, at a time to be designated by the majority leader, after consultation with the minority leader, tomorrow.

Mr. STEVENS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the yeas and nays have been ordered, and it is my understanding that the Senator would prefer a vote, and the leadership does prefer we have a vote to start the day off at a specific time tomorrow. Therefore, I ask this amendment now be set aside, to come before the Senate for a rollcall vote at a time specified by the leadership, the majority leader after consultation with the minority leader later today.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it is our understanding that this amendment that Senator Grams has presented to us continues the precedent that was established by his legislation when he was a Member of the other body in 1993. We have examined the proposed amendment and have been informed that the Banking Committee of the Senate is in agreement with it. Under the circumstances, I know of no opposition to the amendment on this side of the aisle, and we are prepared to accept it. I do note the Senator has asked for the yeas and nays, but perhaps we can dispose of it today if it is possible.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it is apparent that no one is prepared to offer an amendment today. There are several complex amendments coming, and I am sad we cannot get some of them discussed today. But in a few minutes I shall present a closing statement on behalf of the majority leader. Meanwhile, I will announce there will be no further action on this bill today. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to lay aside the Grams amendment for the time being.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, this is an amendment pertaining to a building in Kentucky to be leased by the Department of Defense. It has been approved by the Subcommittee on Defense appropriations, Senator Inouye and myself, and Senator Byrd has cleared this for the minority. I ask that it be accepted.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk an amendment proposed to be offered by Senators Ford and McConnell and ask that it receive immediate consideration.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be granted permission to meet during the session of the Senate on Monday, May 5, for purposes of conducting a hearing before the full committee which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The purpose of this hearing is to consider S. 430, the New Mexico Statehood and Enabling Act Amendments of 1997.