Senate leaders have been piecing together an agenda for the next four to five weeks that is intended to demonstrate the Republican Party's commitment to moving legislation on defense, education, and taxes-areas important to voters and key Republican constituencies.
Among the first bills out of the gate when Senators return from the recess next week is a military pay raise. The Senate Armed Services Committee marked up the legislation before the break, and the bill is expected to be on the floor Monday or Tuesday.
Next to move likely will be the Education Flexibility Partnership Act, introduced by Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn. The bill is intended to allow school districts flexibility in using federal funds, provided they meet certain standards, and the administration has expressed support for the idea.
Senate aides said at least one GOP amendment would be offered on the floor to add provisions that would block-grant certain education programs to the states. But Democratic amendments may derail these efforts.
"My understanding is that they reported that bill out without consultation with Democratic members," said Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who cochairs the Democratic Policy Committee. "We're not going to let them legislate in a vacuum without consulting 45 percent of the U.S. Senate."
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., has said that moving legislation dealing with the year 2000 computer problem is also a priority. Lott spokesman John Czwartacki said the bill is expected to move within the month. Business groups have been pushing the legislation, although provisions to provide liability relief to businesses will have to be worked out before the bill is ready for floor action.
Legislation that would call on the administration to create a missile defense system when technically feasible is on a similar schedule. "That's going to be a very, very hotly debated topic," said Dorgan.
Republican leaders also want to move their budget resolution before the spring recess begins in late March, and would like to move legislation to provide tax relief, although no consensus exists yet on the size and form of a tax cut. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M., will speak to the Senate Republican Conference next Tuesday about the status of the budget resolution.
Other potential legislation includes a small business paperwork reduction bill recently passed by the House, a bill to reauthorize the FAA, and an emergency supplemental appropriations measure. Legislation sponsored by Majority Whip Nickles to establish a "patients' bill of rights," including an arbitration panel to resolve disputes, also could move soon, according to a leadership aide.
Meanwhile, the House Tuesday is expected to take up a handful of suspensions. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House is expected to take up bills dealing with the 911 emergency dialing system, with electronic eavesdropping, and with debt collection. The House will also take up a resolution addressing the situation in Kosovo.
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