William H. Frist: “today, we will begin consideration of H.J. Res. 52, which approves the renewal of import restrictions contained in the…”

“today, we will begin consideration of H.J. Res. 52, which approves the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. We have shortened the statutory time limit. There will now be a 1-hour-20-minute period of debate on the resolution. Thus, Senators can expect a vote on the Burma resolution sometime between 12 and 12:30 today, probably closer to 12:30. Following that vote, we will recess until 2:15 for the weekly policy luncheons. Following the recess, we will resume consideration of the Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Our intentions are to finish that bill, the Foreign Operations appropriations bill, tonight. We have been on the bill Friday and Monday, and will be now today, with plenty of opportunity for our colleagues to come forward, offer their amendments, and debate their amendments. So our plans are to stay today to finish the Foreign Operations bill. I do want to encourage Senators to contact the cloakrooms right now, early this morning, if there are other amendments to be considered. The two managers will be here to consider those amendments. Again, our intentions are to finish that appropriations bill. Over the course of the week, and into next week, before our recess, but most immediately this week, we have a highway extension that will have to be done later today. We have an issue concerning native Hawaiians that we are working very aggressively on in order to bring it to the floor.…”