Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. One second till I straighten this out. I don't care which one. This Senator has no priority on it. I am agreeable to either one first. The amendment I am trying to address after that, though, is the amendment of the Senator from Colorado. What has happened to it in my absence?

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the Chair.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator has that right. I ask unanimous consent that the vote on the motion to table the Hollings amendment occur first.

Mr. STEVENS. I have no objection. I ask for the yeas and nays on the Hollings amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. On a motion to table. I have made that motion.

Mr. STEVENS. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 452

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, parliamentary inquiry: What is the pending business now?

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, could we have order in the Chamber.

Mr. STEVENS. I yield to the author of the amendment first. The Senator from Louisiana is entitled to 1 minute. I hope my colleagues will let her speak.

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, where is the Sergeant at Arms?

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, of the $62.6 billion requested by the President for defense, no less than $10.8 billion in this bill is for the direct support of the Guard and Reserve for this fiscal year. The monies that the Senator from Louisiana wishes would be spent in 2004. I yield the remainder of my time to the Senator from Arizona.

Mr. STEVENS. On each side is all right with me.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the Senator from Nevada. He is very cooperative and very much aware of the problems dealing with the floor from his own experience, and I appreciate his help on this bill no end. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. I am advised by the majority leader, with the consent of the minority leader, there will be no more votes tonight. We expect a series of votes in the morning, and we urge Senators to let us know if there are any amendments that have been hinted at, to let us know if they intend to raise them tomorrow. We expect a full day tomorrow, and we hope to finish this bill tomorrow night. I thank all Members for their courtesy and consideration and yield to my friend from Nevada.

Mr. STEVENS. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask unanimous consent that the Allard amendment be replaced by the modification--a total substitute.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am informed there is a modification of the Allard amendment at the desk.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. I object.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I deeply regret that as manager of the bill I am constrained to make a point of order that the Senator's amendment violates rule XVI and that it is legislation on an appropriations bill. It is a totally new title, and while we do have some clauses that might be legislation, we have not accepted any bills as such. I make a point of order under rule XVI that it is legislation on an appropriations bill.

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, the money that is in this bill will help the Guard that has been called up. That is the case. We want to help the people who are fighting the wars now. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the Senate Appropriations Committee has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 108th Congress. Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Senator Byrd, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the committee rules be printed in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, the Secretary of Defense is giving a classified briefing, and I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess until 3:30.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, I am pleased to yield to the Senator from Illinois. I believe we have reached an agreement on this amendment, and I would be glad to have him modify his amendment if he wishes to do so.