The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S12821 on Dec. 11, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mr. KYL. Madam President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after consultation with the Republican leader, proceed to executive session no later than December 14 to consider Calendar No. 471, the nomination of Eugene Scalia to be Solicitor for the Department of Labor, and I further ask unanimous consent that there be 3 hours for debate, with the time equally divided in the usual form, with no other motions in order; and I ask unanimous consent that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to the vote on the confirmation of the nomination, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. DASCHLE. I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I believe I have the floor after the request.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is the understanding of the Chair.
The Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr. KERRY. I thank the Chair.
Madam President, I ask my colleague from Arizona, without losing my right to the floor, if his propounding of that request indicates that somehow his denial of the ability to proceed forward on the small business bill is linked to the request he just made regarding the nomination.
Mr. KYL. Madam President, I would be happy to respond to my colleague. The answer to the question is no. As the Senator from Massachusetts is aware, there are ongoing negotiations with the Senator as well as the Senator from Missouri and representatives of the administration in an effort to reach a compromise on the legislation, and the Senator's request related to my unanimous-consent request related to the importance of considering Eugene Scalia as Solicitor for the Department of Labor, and I believed as long as we were making unanimous-consent requests to proceed to other business, I would take the opportunity to do so for that nomination.
Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Arizona. I would like to respond and say a few words, if I may, about the small business bill.
Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I ask the Senator if he will yield for a unanimous-consent request for just a moment.
Mr. KERRY. I am pleased to yield.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
Mr. DASCHLE. I thank the Senator from Massachusetts very much.
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