Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it now be in order to proceed to Calendar No. 19, S. 470.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to the bill and send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote on the motion to proceed occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, that the mandatory quorum be waived, and that if cloture is invoked, it be in order to file cloture on the bill before the close of business on Tuesday next.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the contribution of the Roman Catholic school system in the United States. From January 28 through February 2 of this year, communities across our Nation celebrated National Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme of ``Catholic Schools: the Good News in Education'' emphasizes the balanced and diverse educational perspective offered by Catholic education.

With more than 8,000 elementary and secondary schools across our Nation, Catholic education is an important part of educational communities across our country. My home State of Nevada is no exception. We have more than 16 Catholic schools that serve over 5,000

students. These schools play an important role in their communities, teaching service and character to their students in the Catholic tradition.

This tradition is what encourages many parents to sacrifice to pay for a Catholic education. As many students, parents, and teachers will tell you, a Catholic education provides balance to students not only in their educational experience, but also in their spiritual life. The values taught in Catholic schools are important for developing engaged and informed members of the community.

Catholic education has played a needed role in our educational system for more than a century. I am confident that Nevada and our Nation will be well served by Catholic schools for many years to come.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Small Business

and Entrepreneurship Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 434 and the Senate then proceed to its consideration.

Mr. President, I understand there is an amendment at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be considered agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read three times, passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; the title amendment be agreed to; and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, in responding to my friend, Senators Kerry and Snowe, who are the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Small Business, have indicated there are a lot of matters relating to small business jurisdiction that need to be completed forthwith. They are going to work on this next week and hope to have something done very quickly, but this gives them an opportunity to deal with the House, which, I am told, basically did not confer with them at all during the work they did over there, and they should have done that.

I say again, Senators Kerry and Snowe understand the importance of this issue. They also know there are many other things depending on their raising this as an issue at this time.

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

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

Mr. President, we are checking at this time with Senator Kerry to see if we can work something out on this small business matter. In the meantime, we will move to another important issue that is before the Senate.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 11 through 13; the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, we are glad we are able to clear three important nominations of the President.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 66.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of S. Res. 67.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 68, which was submitted earlier today.

It is late, but everyone should know the Miss America Pageant is in Las Vegas this year.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 23, and that the Senate proceed to its consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 34, at the desk and just received from the House.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without any intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask consent when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 2 p.m. Monday, February 5; on Monday, 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; there be a period of morning business until 4 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each; and that during morning business, Senator Byrd be recognized to speak for up to 60 minutes; that at 4 p.m. the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 19, S. 470, the Iraq legislation.

Mr. President, we are waiting to hear word on a small business matter.

In the meantime, I notice that the Senate overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2, the minimum wage legislation. I congratulate the floor managers for their excellent work. I congratulate the Republican leader for working with us to get this important piece of legislation passed.

On Monday, the Senate will conduct a rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 470 at 5:30, and that will be the first vote of the day.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, we have been in touch with Senator Kerry's office today--in fact, just this minute--and he does say there is some confusion in this regard. He has spoken to Senator Snowe. Because of this confusion at this time, I have no alternative but to seek adoption of the unanimous consent request regarding the small business matter that I enunciated some time ago.

Mr. President, I appreciate the Republican leader bringing this to my attention. I personally will work on this tomorrow.