Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the Senator from Delaware.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the Senator from Delaware for his help with this new subsection. My amendment no longer contains the language that was within the Finance Committee's jurisdiction. I would, however, like to ask my friend from Delaware about his understanding of section 6323(j)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code--26 U.S.C. 6323(j)(1)(C), a provision he helped write. Is that section intended to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to withdraw a notice of lien filed against a limited access fishing permit if such withdrawal will facilitate the collection of a tax liability by allowing the owner of the permit to derive income from the use of the permit?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, my manager's amendment to S. 39, the Sustainable Fisheries Act, adds a new section to the Magnuson Act requiring the Secretary of Commerce to create a central lien registry system for limited access permits. Among other things, the Secretary is required to notify both the buyer and seller of a permit if a lien has been filed by the Secretary of the Treasury against the permit.

Mr. STEVENS. I agree with Senator Snowe's interpretation of this provision.

Mr. STEVENS. I would be happy to join Senator Chafee in a colloquy.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from Maine is correct. Section 112 of my amendment protects the existing authority of States to impose more stringent regulations which are not inconsistent with a management plan on its vessels in the Federal zone. Maine's more stringent regulations were consistent with the management plan for lobster before this amendment, and they would continue to be viewed that way after its enactment. Because regulations such as Maine's are not irreconcilable with the management plan, they will be viewed as consistent with it under my amendment. Herring Transshipment

Mr. STEVENS. I would be pleased to join Senator Snowe in a colloquy.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, if the State of Florida has been designated as having jurisdiction over a fishery in the EEZ, they would be entitled to regulate any vessel in that fishery, no matter where it comes from or what facilities it utilizes, so long as it does so consistent with the fishery management plan that delegates authority to the State.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from Florida is again correct in his understanding of what is in the legislation.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from Florida is correct in his understanding of what is in the reauthorization bill. His interpretation is consistent with the drafter's intent.

Mr. STEVENS. I would be happy to respond to a question from my friend, the senior Senator from Florida.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the Senator from Texas is correct. I am informed that this matter was worked out. I should explain to the Senate that we had in the managers' amendment one amendment--the one from the Senator from Texas--that could not be agreed to at the time we offered that amendment last night. We pulled it out and asked unanimous consent that the Senator from Texas be able to offer her amendment. It has now been worked out through the night. I am informed by the leader, and by the representatives of the other Senators involved, that it is acceptable. Therefore, I am prepared to accept this amendment and would ask that it be adopted on a voice vote.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, the bill be deemed read for a third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to the bill be placed at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, Senator McCain has a substitute amendment at the desk. I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate turn now to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 577, H.R. 3378.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be deemed read for a third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to the bill be placed at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 558, H.R. 2464.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be deemed read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to the bill appear at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 587, H.R. 2512.

Mr. STEVENS

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

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar en bloc, Calendar Nos. 721 through 744, and all nominations placed on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the substitute, as amended, be agreed to, the bill be deemed read the third time, and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask unanimous consent that we be permitted to maintain the control of the time we have on the bill and that the Senator from Maine now be able to present her amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. How much time remains, Mr. President?