[Congressional Record: May 11, 1998 (Senate)]
[Page S4612-S4613]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr11my98-50]


   UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1618, S. 1723, S. 1260, and S. 2037

  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I intend to, on behalf of the majority
leader, propound a unanimous consent request. I understand that at this
time the Democratic leader may have to oppose this unanimous consent
request.

[[Page S4613]]

 But I also believe that given the next couple of hours perhaps we can
get some agreement. Both Senator Lott and Senator Daschle, I
understand, are in discussion. But I think we ought to move forward as
we told the Senate we would and at least start discussions of these
bills.
  So, therefore, understanding that we have some optimism about a
unanimous consent agreement within the next couple of hours, I will
propound the unanimous consent request. I understand Senator Dorgan,
the Senator from North Dakota, will object.
  Madam President, on behalf of the leader, I ask unanimous consent
that the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic
leader, may proceed to the consideration of S. 1618.
  I further ask unanimous consent that there be a total of 2 hours of
debate equally divided in the usual form. I further ask that the only
amendment in order other than the committee amendments be a managers'
amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the
above amendments the bill be read a third time and the Senate then
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1618 with no intervening action or
debate.
  Madam President, that is the antislamming bill, on which, as we know,
there have been numerous hearings and discussion and debate not only
within the Senate but in the entire country.
  Additionally, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the
consideration of S. 1723. I further ask unanimous consent that there be
a total of 2 hours of debate equally divided in the usual form. I
further ask that no amendment be in order other than the committee-
reported substitute amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following disposition of the
above amendment, the bill be read a third time and the Senate then
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1723 with no intervening action or
debate. That, Madam President, is the skilled workers immigration bill
that is sponsored by Senator Abraham.
  I also ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the
consideration of S. 1260. I further ask unanimous consent that there be
a total of 2 hours of debate equally divided in the usual form. I
further ask that no amendments be in order other than the committee-
reported substitute amendment.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the
above amendment, the bill be read a third time and the Senate then
proceed to a vote on passage of S. 1260 with no intervening action or
debate. That bill is the Uniform Standards Act.
  Finally, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after
consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the
consideration of S. 2037. I further ask consent there be a total of 30
minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form, with an additional
15 minutes under the control of Senator Ashcroft. I further ask that no
amendment be in order to the bill.
  I finally ask unanimous consent that following the expiration or
yielding back of the time, the bill be read a third time and the Senate
proceed to a vote on the passage of S. 2037 with no intervening action
or debate.
  Madam President, that is the so-called WIPO copyright legislation
from Senator Hatch, reported out of the Judiciary Committee.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. DORGAN. Reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. DORGAN. And I shall object, but under my reservation let me point
out, as I think the Senator from Arizona pointed out, no such agreement
has been reached between the majority and minority leaders on these
pieces of legislation dealing with the procedures under which they will
be considered. All of the unanimous consent requests provide a limited
time and limited amendments. I think in most cases only the managers'
amendment would be allowed, which would then preclude amendments from
other Members of the Senate. It is my hope that some kind of an
agreement will be reached by the majority and minority leaders, but
until such an agreement is reached, I am constrained to object, so I do
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I remain hopeful that within the next
couple of hours we can reach this unanimous consent agreement. There
has been a great deal of discussion about taking up these pieces of
legislation--in fact, several others in addition. But I believe that
the Senator from North Dakota shares my optimism that perhaps we can,
with some modifications, achieve a unanimous consent agreement.

  I yield to the Senator.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, if the Senator will yield, I do not
think the question here is about the particular issues the Senator
proposes to bring to the floor. In fact, most of them will have rather
wide support. The question deals with the conditions under which they
will be brought to the floor and on the restriction on amendments. As
the Senator knows, that is a product of having to consult with other
members of the caucus and the consultation between the majority leader
and the minority leader. I know they are visiting, and I would expect
and hope that that is resolved. But until it is resolved we must
object, and I appreciate very much the understanding of the Senator
from Arizona.

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