Date: 1981-07-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I Join with the majority leader in stating the belief. the hope. and the determination that this debate can be completed and the tax bill can be enacted by August 1. I believe that can be done. It will depend. in considerable measure. on what the other body does. I think this matter is being expedited there. I would hope that we here would continue toward our goal of enacting the measure and allowing Senators to go back and listen to the people in our respective States. But first let me say. Mr. President. that. with all due respect to the majority leader and those who are supporting this amendnient. we will not finish our work on this tax bill by Auigust 1. or even by August 15. if the pending amendment stays before the Senate. I will not argue the merits or demerits of the amendment at this point. But I hope that the proponents of the amendment will decide to take It down. because this is not the way to expedite the work of the Senate on this tax bill. There will be a prolonged debate on this amendment. And If. perchance. we were to come to a vote on the amendment after several days of debate. there would also be a considerable debate onl the House bill when the opportunity comes later to substitute the Senate bill for the House language. and there would be furthler extended debate on the confecrence report -whlen it comes to the Senate. So I suggest that tis baittle be delayed until another time and that we get on with action on thle tax bill and forget about tis amendment for tile time being. Mr. President. It is my intention to subnlit to the majority leader the anmendments that Senators have on this side of the aisle. I am going to proposeand I want my colleagues on this side of thle aisle to hear thlis. the distinguishled majority leader and I have discussed this. so I think we pretty well agree that this might be a good approachI am going to propose to my colleagues here tihat I give to the nlaJority leader a list of our amendments. He will then Indicate the Identity of the amlendments and the authors of such amendments on tllat side of the aisle so that tilere will be no surprises. We will say thlat those are all of the amendments that will be voted on. no seconddegree anmendments. so that everybody knows what is coming. We will vote up or down or onl tabling motions. Then. knowing what each side has. knowing thlere will be no surprises. no seconddegree amendments. we then could say that a final vote on advancing the bill to third reading will occur at. say. the close of business on Wednesday next. or some such date. Thlis will enable the Senate to complete Its action before the House measure gets over to the Senate. and the majority leader will be assured of our completing our business. He is entitled to that assurance. I. for one. want to see action completed on this bill. It seems to me if we do that. we can. I hope. avoid a Saturday session and be assured that the bill will be acted upon. With everybody knowing what Is coming by way of amendments. everybody will be prepared. We can sequence the amendmlents. and we will then proceed in an orderly way. If I do not hear objection from my side of tile aisle. this will be my prouosnl to the majority leader. I Yield the floor.