October 10, 1978
Page 35280
Mr. LONG. Mr. President, in view of the situation that developed because of the agreement as to amendments that cost a lot of revenue, the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. HELMS) could not offer his amendment. In view of the fact that his amendment would have been in order at the time cloture was voted to try to fulfill the commitment I made on yesterday, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. HELMS) again call up his amendment No. 3850, and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed the privilege to modify it to eliminate whatever provision there may be in his amendment that make it subject to a point of order in the Budget Act.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maine.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I discussed this matter earlier with the distinguished floor manager of the bill, and he was contemplating a similar request with respect to an amendment which Senator NELSON of Wisconsin wished to bring up which was a modification of an earlier Kennedy amendment. This morning there was a similar request by Senator DECONCINI with respect to an amendment as to which he received approval of a unanimous consent request last Friday. It just seems to me that to begin this process is to open up the possibility of a lot of amendments that are not germane being offered in an attempt to get around the cloture procedure.
The cloture procedure cut off an amendment in which I have a great stake and which I am not permitted to offer, and I doubt very much I could get unanimous consent to offer it.
Mr. LONG. I say to the Senator he would not get it.
Mr. MUSKIE. I am sure of that.
Before I do object, I say that I have great sympathy for the amendment of the Senator from North Carolina and also the amendment of the Senator from Wisconsin.
But for the reason I have expressed, I do object and I do it with great reluctance.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.