William H. Frist: “this morning we will proceed at 10 a.m. to an up-or-down vote on Tom Griffith's nomination to the D.C. Circuit Court. I…”

“this morning we will proceed at 10 a.m. to an up-or-down vote on Tom Griffith's nomination to the D.C. Circuit Court. I suspect the Senate will vote to confirm Mr. Griffith, and I thank the Senators who participated in the debate over the course of yesterday. Immediately after that vote, we will begin consideration of the Energy bill. We have scheduled consideration of the bill for the entirety of this week and through next week. We will be completing the Energy bill by the end of next week, a fact that I mention so people will come down and make their amendments known to the managers of the bill early on. That will provide ample time for there to be debate and amendments over these next 2 weeks. Senators should be prepared to offer those amendments beginning later today and throughout the week. The chairman and the ranking member of the Energy Committee will be here to manage the process. I do encourage Senators to offer and debate those amendments over the next 2 weeks. It will take a lot of cooperation to accomplish that goal. I have been in discussion with the Democratic leader, who agrees with this plan of doing our very best to complete the bill. We will complete the bill by the end of next week. I thank all Members in advance. ____________________”