Carl Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 823

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk on behalf of Senator Landrieu, which would provide for a feasibility study of the conveyance of the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant at Doyline, LA.

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

Mr. LEVIN. If I could ask the Senator to yield, it is my understanding that the amendment has been agreed to but the paperwork has not yet been completed to accomplish the agreement.

Mr. LEVIN. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Dodd, I offer an amendment to establish a grant program to support increasing the number of firefighters to address emergencies and terrorist threats.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Mikulski, I offer an amendment that would authorize the Department of Defense and the VA jointly to conduct a program to develop and evaluate integrated healing care practices for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Mr. LEVIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 815

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, we have no objection.

Mr. LEVIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 814

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, we support the amendment.

Mr. LEVIN. I apologize.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent to be added as a cosponsor of the amendment. And I ask if we can leave the roll open for cosponsors until 6 o'clock tonight--until we go out--for additional people to be added as cosponsors.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Nelson of Florida, I offer an amendment that would authorize travel and transportation allowances for dependents of service members who have committed dependent abuse against a spouse or dependent child.

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

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, we support the Warner amendment.

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

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, will the Senator yield on that?

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Bingaman, I offer an amendment that would add a reporting requirement to section 3131.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Feinstein, Senator Reid, and Senator Boxer, I offer an amendment that would require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a 2001 survey on potential perchlorate contamination at Department of Defense sites prepared by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, very briefly, let me thank Senator Warner, our chairman, for his usual courtesy, his indomitable spirit, and his willingness to try to find ways in which we can resolve differences. He has done a masterful job. We thought it was going to get done in record time. It probably didn't end up quite that way, but not because of any failure on the part of our good friend from Virginia. I thank Rick DeBobes and all the staff on this side, Judy Ansley and all the staff on the Republican side, all the members of our committee who contributed so much, as members of the committee, as chairmen and as ranking members of the subcommittee. I think we have produced a good bill. Let me add my thanks to Senator Reid in particular. I want to single out Senator Reid, if I may. All the leaders help us, but I must say what a unique whip we have in Harry Reid. He really makes things happen around here which otherwise simply could not happen. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the minority staff members of the Committee on Armed Services for their extraordinary work on S. 1050, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. To arrive at final passage of this important legislation requires hours and hours of hard work and many personal sacrifices. The committee and the Senate are so fortunate to have men and women of their expertise and dedication so ably assisting us on this bill. Rick DeBobes leads our minority staff of fifteen. Although small in numbers, they all make huge contributions to the work of the Committee each and every day. As a tribute to their professionalism, I thank Chris Cowart, Dan Cox, Madelyn Creedon, Mitch Crosswait, Rick DeBobes, Evelyn Farkas, Richard Fieldhouse, Creighton Greene, Jeremy Hekhuis, Maren Leed, Gary Leeling, Peter Levine, Arun Seraphin, Christy Still, Mary Louise Wagner, and Bridget Whalan.

Mr. LEVIN. That is my understanding. I don't know of any other matters that can be resolved.

Mr. LEVIN. I also would be glad to help the Senator get this issue addressed and will work with you in contracting the Air Force. house provision on meals ready to eat (mre)

Mr. LEVIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 831

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I understand the yeas and nays are going to be requested. I thank my good friend from California for her kind words and, as always, the Senator from Virginia for his willingness to work to try to advance the Senate's proceedings in a fair and thoughtful way. I thank him as always for his willingness to try to find some way to bring together diverse views.