Thad Cochran

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator, my friend from Vermont. He is a valuable member of the Appropriations Committee. Mr. President, I am pleased with the progress we have been able to make on this supplemental appropriations bill today. The Senate is working hard to ensure we consider requests that have merit which should be included in this bill. The focus of the bill, as everyone realizes, though, is on assisting and providing for our troops, the Department of Defense facilities that are located in Iraq, trying to help ensure we protect the forces we have there, giving them what they need to bring these operations to a successful conclusion. We have made tremendous progress there, as well as in Afghanistan, bringing an opportunity for peace and freedom to the people of both of those countries. It is quite amazing to see the success that has been achieved in that direction, as those nations continue to work to build the infrastructure for democracy and a growing economy. Our troops still need additional assistance, and that is why it is important for us to respond in a positive way to the requests of the administration to fund those needs and provide that assistance which will play such a critical role in their success. The funds appropriated in this bill will provide support, pay in allowances. It will provide additional equipment, more modern and more effective equipment, so that the chances of success will be enhanced. We do not want to drag out this supplemental unnecessarily. We need to complete action on the bill so we can go to conference with our counterpart committee, the Appropriations Committee in the House, and work out differences between the two bodies on this bill. We do not want to delay this supplemental. We do not want to endanger our troops and our national interests in those areas of the world and here at home by unnecessary delay. We appreciate the cooperation of all Senators. I thank everyone who has played a part today in our success in moving forward with this legislation. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. COCHRAN. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, we have some requests to make on behalf of the managers of the bill with respect to amendments that have been cleared on both sides of the aisle. We understand there has been a review undertaken by staff to try to ensure that the amendments which are going to be presented to the Senate are consistent with the vote taken on cloture earlier in the day. Amendment No. 343 With that information, I call up amendment No. 343 on behalf of Mr. Pryor regarding Camp Joseph T. Robinson.

Mr. COCHRAN. I send to the desk an amendment on behalf of Mr. Reid of Nevada--technical in nature--and ask it be reported.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 441 on behalf of Mr. Santorum regarding loan guarantees.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 407

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 441

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 527

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, we have several amendments that have been cleared on both sides, and I am prepared to bring those to the attention of the Senate. Amendment No. 547 Mr. President, I send to the desk an amendment on behalf of Mr. Bond regarding Federal Housing Enterprises Oversight, and I ask that it be reported.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 491 on behalf of Mr. McConnell regarding debt relief in tsunami-affected countries.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I send to the desk an amendment on behalf of Mr. Bond regarding insurance fee requirements.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 492 on behalf of Mr. Leahy regarding Nepal.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I think we can have a voice vote on this amendment.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 473