Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. My distinguished colleague from Texas, Senator Hutchison, who ably serves on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, is correct.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator is correct in her description of this program as approved by the authorizing committee and the full Senate.

Mr. STEVENS. Again, the Senator is correct on the likely source of funding for this pilot program.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Chair place before the Senate the Harkin amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask for the rollcall vote that was agreed to last evening take place now.

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we continue for another 5 minutes on a matter of total agreement here and that we then have a vote on final passage on this bill at 2:15.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, this amendment also has the cosponsorship of Senator Mack. It has our approval.

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send a modification of amendment No. 856 to the desk. This is a modification of an amendment by Senator Feinstein that was previously adopted, and that action was rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. The amendment now has our approval. It is a sense-of- the-Senate amendment concerning payment of NATO costs.

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it is my understanding that all of the amendments that were ordered to be called up, or had the right to be called up under order 108 entered into last night have now been disposed of. Is that the opinion of the Chair?

Mr. STEVENS. I know of no further amendments. United States Military Presence in Bermuda

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator raises a good point. I would expect the Air Force to inform Congress of major decisions, such as the one to which the Senator was referring. I would also expect the Air Force to be able to outline sound reasons for their actions.

Mr. STEVENS. I believe this is a reasonable request, and I expect the Air Force to outline impacts of test and training range utilization as a result of changes in force structure to the Congress.

Mr. STEVENS. This discovery is one of the great military history finds in memory, and I believe that we have an obligation to ensure that this ship is properly preserved. This type of discovery is why the committee created the Legacy Program in 1991, under the leadership of the senior Senator from Hawaii. I strongly support the proposal of the Senator from Vermont, and I am hopeful that his view will prevail in conference.

Mr. STEVENS. Yes, the committee has provided additional funding in the amount of $87.5 million to address the funding shortfall in the Army's real property mainenance account. Recognizing that the Army has prioritized its real property maintenance shortfalls, I am confident that the Department will work with you to address your concerns regarding the Annex.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania for recalling that I was an original sponsor of the legislation that encouraged companies to become employee-owned by establishing ESOP's. I will certainly try to do what I can to help solve the situation the Senator has described. research and development

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania. These are three very important and valuable programs for the readiness and capability of our Armed Forces. I have long been a supporter of telemedicine initiatives and its application to military objectives. In addition, I recognize the need to continue research and development of advanced technology for hull and aircraft design. I believe these programs deserve a thorough review and look forward to working with the Senator from Pennsylvania in conference.