July 20, 1977
Page 23995
RE-REFERRAL OF BILL — S. 2
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Maine (Mr. MUSKIE).
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, there is on the calendar, reported by the Committee on Government Operations, the so-called sunset bill, S. 2. I have discussed this matter dealing with that piece of legislation with the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules (Mr. CANNON) and the majority leader. Last year, when this legislation was considered, because it did involve some modification of the rules and for other reasons, it was referred to the Rules Committee under a time agreement, which the Rules Committee asked to have extended. Ultimately, the Rules Committee reported the bill to the Senate. We were unable to complete work on it.
We are at the same point this year. I have discussed the question of re-referral to the Rules Committee with Senator CANNON and the majority leader. I understand that the Rules Committee is under several mandates now, involving specific times for completion of work on various legislative items. Senator CANNON is reluctant to agree to a specific time for reporting back.
Taking that into account, we have agreed to a re-referral to the Rules Committee. Senator CANNON has been kind enough to assure me that he will do everything in his power to see that the bill is reported back to the Senate for action early in September. This arrangement is agreeable to me. I am sure that Senator CANNON and the Rules Committee will do their utmost, given their full committee load, to get the bill back to the Senate. I cannot ask more than that of any of my colleagues. So I should like to move, if it is agreeable to Senator CANNON, who is here on another matter, that the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Rules.
Mr. CANNON. Will the Senator yield?
Mr. MUSKIE. Yes, I yield to my good friend from Nevada.
Mr. CANNON. The Senator from Maine has stated the matter correctly. I have assured him that if it is re-referred to the Committee on Rules, we shall hold hearings early in September and will report it back at the earliest possible date. I cannot agree to a precise date, but we have no desire to delay the matter. We are under time constraints on several other matters that have to be reported back. We shall hold a hearing early in September and will report it back to the Senate at the earliest possible date.
Mr. MUSKIE. I appreciate that assurance from my good friend from Nevada. With that, I make the motion, Mr. President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Would the Senator state his motion and the number of the bill he refers to?
Mr. MUSKIE. S. 2, Calendar No. 305, is the bill, and I move that bill be referred to the Committee on Rules.
The PRESIDING OFFICER Without objection, it will be so referred.
Mr. MUSKIE. I thank the Chair.