{ 2000/05/11 TIME: 11-00 , Thu. 106TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}


           IN, THEY CAN BE IMPORTED.

{11:00:07 NSP} (MR. DURBIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. DURBIN: WOULD THE SENATOR YIELD FOR A QUESTION?

{11:00:10 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: YES.

{11:00:12 NSP} (MR. DURBIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. DURBIN: I WOULD LIKE YOU TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS,
           BECAUSE I WANT TO PUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS RESOLUTION IN
           CONTEXT. THE SENATOR MIXED THAT IT WAS APRIL 10 OF LAST YEAR
           THAT WE HAD THE COLUMBINE TRAGEDY?

{11:00:24 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: YES.

{11:00:29 NSP} (MR. DURBIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. DURBIN: APRIL 20 OF LAST YEAR, 1999, THE COLUMBINE HIGH
           SCHOOL TRAGEDY, IF I AM FOUGHT MISTAKEN 12 OR 13 HIGH SCHOOL
           STUDENTS WERE KILLED, 12 WERE KILLED THAT DAY AND A SCORE OR
           MORE WERE INJURED DURING THE COURSE OF THAT TIME. AND AMERICA
           WAS FIXED ON THIS EVENT LIKE NO OTHER EVENT DESPITE ALL THE GUN
           VIOLENCE WHEN WE CONSIDERED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AT A HIGH
           SCHOOL LIKE COLUMBINE. IS THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERLS ABLE TO
           TELL ME THEN WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
           TO THAT TRAGEDY?

{11:01:04 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I CALL THE SENATE TO ORDER.

{11:01:11 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: DEBATE MUST BE GERMANE TO THE AFRICAN
           TRADE CONFERENCE REPORT. THAT'S REGULAR ORDER.

{11:01:18 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE -- I DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO
           ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRADE ISSUE, AND THAT'S HOW I
           STARTED MY REMARKS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT ONE OF THE
           PURPOSES OF GETTING THIS TRADE MATTER INTO LAW IS TO MAKE SURE
           THAT COUNTRIES THAT WE DEAL WITH WHO ARE HAVING SEVERE ECONOMIC
           PROBLEMS, WHERE WE SEE STARVING POPULATIONS, WHERE WE SEE
           PEOPLE ABUSED, HUMAN RIGHTS IGNORED, CORRUPTION RAMPANT, IS

{11:01:49} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THAT'S THE MISSION OF MUCH OF WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS DAY.
           FRANKLY, I'M NOT DOING IT EXCLUSIVELY SO THAT WE CAN DO MORE
           BUSINESS, WHY WE'D LIKE DO MORE BUSINESS. THE FACT OF THE
           MATTER IS, THAT THAT TRADE HAS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATION.
           IT IS A POLICY IMPLICATION, FOREIGN POLICY. HOW DO WE DEAL?
           AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CAMERAS TODAY, WE LOOK AT THE
           TELEVISION, AND WE SEE PEOPLE WITH MALNUTRITION, DISEASE,
           STARVING, AND HOPING THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO TRY AND

{11:02:21} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           ALLEVIATE THOSE CONDITIONS. SO WHY IS IT OUT OF ORDER, MR.
           PRESIDENT, I ASK THE PARLIAMENTARIAN. WHY IS IT OUT OF ORDER TO
           TALK ABOUT THE SUBJECTS THAT RELATE AT HOME TO THE SAME THINGS
           THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP OVERSEAS?
           I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. I MUST SAY -- AND I WOULD HAVE TO POSE
           THAT TO THE PARLIAMENTARIAN. WE'RE NEVER, NEVER SO STRICT THAT
           YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT MATTERS THAT RELATE INDIRECTLY INDIRECTLY.
           OR ARE WE GOING TO MEASURE WORD BY WORD WHAT'S BEING SAID HERE?

{11:02:56} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           I THINK IT IS AN INVASION, I MUST SAY, OF A SENATOR'S RIGHT TO
           SPEAK ON AN ISSUE. I'M NOT DONE WITH MY REMARKS. I OPENED WITH
           THE TRADE COMMENTARY AND I INTEND TO CLOSE WITH THE TRADE
           COMMENTARY.

{11:03:14 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: ALL THE DEBATE MUST BE GERMANE TO THE
           CONFERENCE REPORT.

{11:03:26 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD -- I KNOW THE MAJORITY
           LEADER RAISED... IF I -- THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEW
           YORK, NOT EVERYBODY'S GOOD FRIEND HERE, ASKED A QUESTION, WHICH
           I WILL -- I WOULD LIKE SENATOR MOYNIHAN -- YOU ASKED THE
           MAJORITY LEADER AND HAVE HIM RESPOND TO THAT WITH AN ASSURANCE
           THAT I GET THE FLOOR, IF WE ABANDON DEBATE NOW. MR. MOYNIHAN:
           MR. PRESIDENT?

{11:03:58 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR NEW YORK.

{11:04:03 NSP} (MR. MOYNIHAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. MOYNIHAN: MIGHT -- MIGHT I ASK THE DISTINGUISHED AND
           FOREBEARING MAJORITY LEADER THAT AS WE HAVE A VOTE ON THE
           AFRICAN TRADE BILL, AFTERWARDS, THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY CAN
           SPEAK TO THE MATTER HE IS EA SPEAKING TO?

{11:04:20 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE UNDER THE U.C. THAT WE
           AGREED THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

{11:04:29 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: SO I WOULD BE ABLE TO RECAPTURE -- WELL, NO,
           NO, NO. THAT WE'RE -- WE'RE ASKING -- THE MAJORITY LEADER
           SPEAKS VERY CLEARLY, SENATOR. AND I HAVE HIS ASSURANCE THAT I
           WILL NOW BE RECOGNIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER TO FINISH THE COMMENTS
           THAT I WAS MAKING.

{11:04:53 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: COULD I INQUIRE... DOES THE -- MR. PRESIDENT?

{11:04:56 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER.

{11:05:01 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: SENATOR LAUTENBERG, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME IDEA HOW
           LONG YOU THINK THAT MIGHT TAKE TAKE?

{11:05:05 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: WELL --

{11:05:08 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: THE REASON WHY I'M INQUIRING AGAIN IS THAT WE DO HAVE
           A MANAGER -- OR, MANAGERS OF THE BILL THAT HAVE A TIME PROBLEM
           AND I'D LIKE TO ENKIRJ TO YOU TALK WITH THEM AND GET SOME TRIME
           AGREEMENT SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MILITARY
           CONSTRUCTION BILL. BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY WILLABLE ABLE TO WORK

{11:05:26 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           SOMETHING OUT WITH YOU. MR. REID: MR. LEADER?
           LOT YES.

{11:05:31 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. REID: WHAT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO DO, WE HAVE TWO OF OUR
           PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THE AFRICAN TRADE BILL. ONE OF THE
           SENATORS HAS AGREAD TO -- HAS AGREED TO SPEAK AFTER THE VOTE.
           ONE OF THE SENATORS IS GOING TO DAUL ME BACK AS TO WHETHER HE
           CAN DO THE SAME. IF THAT WOULD BE THE CASE, THE VOTE CAN TAKE
           PLACE AS SOON AS THE LEADER WANTED IT ON THE FREE TRADE BILL
           AND THEN THEY COULD SPEAK AFTER THAT.

{11:05:55 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: I'M OF COURSE, NOT MANAGERING THE BILL, MR.
           PRESIDENT. THERE'S AT LEAST ONE NOR SENATOR ON THE FLOOR THAT
           WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE TRADE BILL. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE
           ONE OR TWO ON THIS SIDE. SO WE DO HAVE ABOUT FOUR, FIVE
           SPEAKERS AND A COUPLE ON OUR SIDE.

{11:06:09 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. REID: ONE OF THE SENATORS WANTS TO SPEAK FOR 45 MINUTES.

{11:06:11 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: OH.

{11:06:15 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. REID: -- ON OUR SIDE. BUT THAT'S WHY I WAS TRYING TO SEE IF
           WE CAN WORK TOUT SO HE COULD SPEAK AFTER THE VOTE.

{11:06:23 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: WHAT IS OUR STATUS, MR. PRESIDENT?
           I AM GOING TO ASK FOR A VOTE ON GERMANENESS IF THE
           INTERPRETATION STANDS. I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD AN ACCOMMODATION
           THAT -- WITH THE MAJORITY LEADER. I THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO BE
           HELPFUL HERE AND GIVE AWES CHANCE TO FINISH THE DEBATE -- GIVE
           US A CHANCE TO FINISH THE DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT AS I UNDERSTAND

{11:06:53} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           IT AND MAKE WAY FOR THE VOTE TO TAKE PLACE IN EXPEDITIOUS
           FASHION. BUT GUARANTENG ME, BY U.C. NOW, TO BE ABLE TO GET THE
           FLOOR AFTER THE VOTE ON THE TRADE BILL HAS TAKEN PLACE. AND IF
           THAT'S THE CASE, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR, MR. PRESIDENT, SO THAT
           WE CAN GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS. BUT I WOULD LIKE THAT
           REPRESENTATION TO BE MADE NOW AND CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.

{11:07:23 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT --

{11:07:29 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: MAJORITY LEADER. LOT THE

{11:07:33 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: -- THE DEBATE NOW, POST-KILO KHUREES HAS TO BE ON THE
           AFRICAN TRADE BILL. AFTER THAT VOTE OCCURS, WE WOULD GO TO THE
           MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS BILL. I ASSUME THAT THE
           SENATORS THAT WOULD WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS SUBITL WILL WANT TO
           SPEAK WITH THE MANAGERS OF THAT MILCON BILL, INCLUDING A
           SENATOR FROM QUAUG ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE THILE DOES -- -- ON
           THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT DOES HAVE A TIME CONSTRAINT. I
           DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A CONSENT THAT HAD BEEN ASKED FOR THAT
           WOULD GUARANTEE THAT. AND I'M NOT SURE YOU WOULD WANT TO DO

{11:08:03} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THAT UNTIL YOU TALKED TO SENATOR MURRAY AND SEE WHAT HER
           SITUATION IS.

{11:08:13 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: THE MAJORITY LEADER KNOWS VERY WELL THAT THERE
           IS SOME DES DISPUTE ON THIS ISSUE. AND I HAVE THE FLOOR, AND
           I'VE TRIED TO CONDUCT MYSELF AS THE RULES CALL FOR, AND WHAT
           I'M ASKING THE MAJORITY LEADER NOW IS IF I PROPOUND A U.C. THAT
           I BE RECOGNIZED AFTER THE VOTE ON THE TRADE BILL IS DONE, THAT
           I BE PERMITTED TO SPEAK AT THAT TIME TO REGAIN THE FLOOR. AND I
           THINK IT IS A REASONABLE REQUEST BASED ON THE DEBATE THAT'S

{11:08:43} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           GOING ON NOW. OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE DELAYS THAN
           WE'D LIKE TO SEE. AND I WANT TO GET THE AFRICAN TRADE BILL OUT
           OF THE WAY.

{11:08:53 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN A U.C.
           PROPOUNDED. BUT IF THERE IS ONE PROPOUNDED, WOULD THE SENATOR
           BE WILLING TO INCLUDE IN IN THAT A TIME OF HOW LONG IT WOULD
           TAKE?
           IF IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE HOURX YOU'VE GOT A MAJOR PROBLEM
           BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN PEOPLE'S SCHEDULE. IF YOU NEED, YOU KNOW,
           TEN MINUTES, THEN I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.

{11:09:16 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: WELL, I HAVE A COUPLE OF REQUESTS. I WOULD TRY
           TO DO IT IN 40 MINUTES. AND WORK ON EVEN COMPRESSING THAT, MR.
           ADER. BUT 40 MINUTES MAXIMUM.

{11:09:31 NSP} (MR. HARKIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. HARKIN: RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT -- IF THERE IS SUCH A
           THING GOING ON RIGHT NOW -- I MIGHT SAY, THERE ARE SOME OF US
           WHO WANT TO SPEEFMCT I HAPPEN TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE AFRICAN
           TRADE BILL. I WLIKE TO SPEAK ON T BUT I AM WILLING TO SPEAK
           AFTER THE VOTE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO
           SPEAK ON IT NOW.

{11:09:50 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: WHY DON'T YOU SPEAK NOW?

{11:09:54 NSP} (MR. HARKIN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. HARKIN: WELL, I WOULD WLIKE TO SPEAK NOW, BUT I DON'T HAVE
           THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW AND I CAN'T GET THE FLOOR.

{11:10:04 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. LEADER, IF YOU WOULD GIVE ME THE CONSENT
           HERE AND WEAK WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE BUSINESS.

{11:10:13 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. REID: AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY
           SAID, IS HE AND HIS OTHER TWO SPEAKERS WOULD BE WILLING TO
           AGREE TO A 40-MINUTE TIME AGREEMENT TODAY. DOES THAT SOUND --
           IS THAT THE WAY I UNDERSTOOD THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY?

{11:10:26 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I WISH THAT THE SENATORS WOULD AT
           LEAST TALK TO THE SENATOR ON THEIR SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT HAS A
           TIME PROBLEM. AND SEE WHAT SENATOR MURRAY HAS TO SAY BECAUSE I
           FEEL A LITTLE FUNNY HERE. I'M PROTECTING SENATOR MUR KIS -- I'M
           PROTECTING SENATOR MURRAY'S DESIRE TO DO HER PART EARLLY. I
           THINK IF YOU WOULD AGREE DO THIS AFTER SENATOR MURRAY AND THE
           ORM STATEMENTS ARE MADE -- AND I WISH YOU WOULD TALK TO HER --
           THAT WE COULD AGREE THAT. I PRESUME IT WOULD BE ABOUT
           
           3:30 THIS AFTERNOON OR SO.

{11:11:00 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. REID: I THINK 409 MINUTES -- I CAN'T VOUCH FOR THIS, BUT
           SENATOR BOXER WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK TO HER FRIEND -- OUR
           FRIEND. I THINK 40 MINUTES WOULD PROBABLY DO IT AND THEN --

{11:11:10 NSP} (MR. LOTT) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LOTT: WHAT I'D LIKE TO URGE YOU TO DO IS TALK TO SENATOR
           MURRAY AND SEE IF THAT'S AGREEABLE WITH HER AND TO THE MANAGERS
           OF THE BILL.

{11:11:29 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. LEADER, SO PERHAPS WE CAN MOVE IT ALONG BY
           SAYING THAT AFTER THE OPENING STATEMENTS BY THE MANAGERS,
           THEY'VE INTRODUCED THEIR MANAGERS' AMENDMENTS, THAT I THEN BE
           ABLE TO GAIN THE FLOOR FOR THE 40 MINUTES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT
           AND I THINK THAT WOULD HELP MOVE THINGS ALONG AT A GOOD PACE.

{11:11:51 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

{11:11:53 NSP} (A SENATOR) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           A SENATOR: RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT --

{11:11:57 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IDAHO.

{11:11:58 NSP} (MR. CRAIG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CRAIG: WAS THAT PROPOUNDED AS A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST?

{11:12:03 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IT WAS. NO IT WAS A UNANIMOUS CONSENT
           REQUEST.

{11:12:04 NSP} (MR. CRAIG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CRAIG: I WOULD OBJECT.

{11:12:06 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD.

{11:12:09 NSP} (MRS. BOXER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MRS. BOXER: MR. PRESIDENT, IT WAS ALREADY AGREED TO. YOU
           ALREADY SAID IT WAS AGREED TO.

{11:12:22 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: NO THE SENATOR HAS THE RIGHT TO --
           RESERVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT. THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY HAS
           THE FLOOR.

{11:12:33 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A
           QUORUM.

{11:12:36 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.
           
           
           
           
           QUORUM CALL:
           
{END: 2000/05/11 TIME: 11-15 , Thu.  106TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}