Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, in the interim, if any Senator wishes to discuss an amendment, we are pleased to proceed. We will accommodate any Senator with regard to amendments they wish to discuss. We discussed this matter last night with Senator Coburn, and he agreed we could initiate a vote on his amendment sometime around noon. We would like to proceed on that basis. I once again urge Senators to present their amendments or work with us with regard to the package we are now discussing on amendments which will be accepted without debate. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. I wish to announce to the Senate my intention to move to make a point of order against all amendments that have been indicated by the Parliamentarian to be not germane commencing at 2 o'clock. So if any Senator wishes to discuss that category of amendments, we would be pleased to discuss them either prior to this vote or after the vote. We would like to have a decision made, if possible, as to how many more amendments we will deal with today. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk the first managers' package for the day. I will present it now. We offer, for Senator Reed of Rhode Island, amendment No. 1943, a sense of the Senate on increased personnel end strengths, and it has been modified; for Senator Mikulski, amendment No. 1997, for laser marksmanship training. I ask unanimous consent that these amendments be considered en bloc.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendments be agreed to en bloc.

Mr. STEVENS. We entered a time limit to have this vote occur at 12. In view of the exchange that is going on--and another Senator also wants to talk--I ask unanimous consent that the vote take place at 12:10 and the time between now and then be divided between Senator Coburn and anyone who wishes to speak on this amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. I underestimated the amount of time needed. Senator Levin wishes to speak. I ask unanimous consent that the vote take place at 12:15 p.m. and that the additional time be divided between the Senator from Oklahoma, Mr. Coburn, and the Senator from Michigan, Mr. Levin.

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, we are going to try to work through this bill. The bill is open to debate. I will be pleased to take up any other amendments Senators might bring before us. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the time is equally divided on this amendment. This amendment would add $100 million to childcare services and $20 million for family assistance centers. I will speak in response to the Senator's explanation of this amendment when he is finished.

Mr. STEVENS. We would like to see the modification before it is accepted.

Mr. STEVENS. We have no objection to the modification.

Mr. STEVENS. We have no objection to that. The Senator is entitled to speak on any matter he wishes, using his own time. But we have time set for Senator Hatch to begin at 2:30.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I say to the Senator from Delaware, if he wishes to speak further, we will be happy to extend him more time, if he wishes.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk a modification to Senator Dayton's amendment.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 7. I further ask consent that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved, and the Senate then resume consideration of H.R. 2863, the Defense appropriations bill. I further ask consent that following the leader's remarks, Senator Landrieu be recognized to speak until 9:15. I further ask consent that immediately following her remarks, and with no intervening action or debate, all time under cloture then be considered expired, the bill be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to a vote on passage of the bill, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. STEVENS. Before we recess, I will yield to the Senator from Louisiana for 5 minutes before we close.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object--for the rest of this Congress? Did the Senator say for the remainder of this Congress?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am obligated to object, and I suggest the Senator get clearance on that.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, may I again inquire of the Senator? Is this person on your staff?

Mr. STEVENS. This is floor privileges. It is not necessarily continuous access. Does she have to go through the normal process of obtaining access the way any other staff would?

Mr. STEVENS. I will not object.