Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. I asked unanimous consent that we have 15 minutes on each side, and I intend to oppose the amendment. I assume the Senator from Virginia would have another 15 minutes on the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I have two Senators on the floor who wish to argue about who gets the floor, but I have the floor. The Senator from Nevada wishes to have an opportunity to do something. I ask unanimous consent that I be able to allow the Senator from Nevada to make his presentation without losing my right to the floor.

Mr. STEVENS. How much time remains?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. STEVENS. I ask for adoption of that amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, we have gone through a series of amendments that have been offered to the Defense portion of this bill and have been able to work out substantial changes and modifications to meet the objectives of the sponsor as well as the urgency to get this bill done. For the portion of the bill that represents Defense, I urge Members to come and discuss with us these amendments so we may find out how we can handle them. We are informed there are still three amendments that affect the Defense portion of the supplemental. There may be other Defense amendments, but those are all we have been notified of so far. Again, I urge Members to contact us to see if we can work out these remaining Defense amendments. 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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.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 a modification of amendment No. 444.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask for adoption of the amendment. It is now a sense- of-the-Senate amendment and I urge its approval.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS. Reserving the right to object, can we have a copy of that.

Mr. STEVENS. We have no objection.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, we commend the Senator for his modification and this necessary amendment. It deals with travel by dependents and loved ones with those who are seriously ill or injured or in a situation of imminent death. I do think the modification meets the increasing needs of our service men and women and their families. So we are pleased to accept the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. Will the Senator mind reconsidering that amendment at this time?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. amendment no. 459

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk a modification of amendment No. 418.

Mr. STEVENS. I urge the adoption of the amendment as modified.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS. I am pleased to join the Senator from Illinois to discuss this issue.

Mr. STEVENS. I appreciate the Senator not offering the amendment at this time.

Mr. STEVENS. I look forward to working with the Senator from Illinois on this issue during the appropriations process and ensuring that the needs of our service members are being met.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 440 and ask that it be brought before the Senate.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk a modification of that amendment.