John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Which study was authorized, I say to my colleague, last year.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I think I said when I took the floor, it would be charged to the Senator from Virginia. It is in the nature of a colloquy which takes place, so statements on my behalf are charged against my time, statements by the Senator from North Dakota on his time.

Mr. WARNER. Is this a UC request?

Mr. WARNER. That's correct. If I may add a word or two to this. In the course of my colloquy with the Senator from North Dakota, it was indicated there would be an effort to place in this bill language comparable to what was in the amendment that was voted on immediately prior to this one to give a consistency in the manner in which we are treating these very serious questions. So I will put this on the desk and I will represent to our colleagues that this language will be forthcoming and a part of this bill.

Mr. WARNER. I have indicated to the ranking member that this language, I think, could be voice-voted because I think there is consensus on both sides in an effort to make parallel and to put the Congress clearly into play.

Mr. WARNER. We are prepared to enter into that now.

Mr. WARNER. It is my hope that in the course of Senator Byrd's 20 minutes, if that decision could be made, Senator Byrd would certainly understand the need to maintain the momentum.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I move to table the Dorgan amendment and ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. WARNER. I yield back the time on our side. It is my understanding they will be yielding back time on their side.

Mr. WARNER. All time having been yielded back, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. WARNER. I move to table the amendment.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, we will consult with the proponent of the underlying amendment. But for the moment, the Senate has tabled this matter. It is my hope we could proceed to the Nelson amendments. I thank our distinguished colleague from Florida for his cooperation. We can do both by voice vote, it is my hope. On the one amendment, I would like to be associated with you because I represented throughout the vote, to my side, that the language be incorporated. I yield the floor.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, if I could bring some new information on that subject? The majority leader had a conversation with me just a minute ago. I have not had a chance to share it. I intend to stay here, as will other Members on my side, tonight. The majority leader is open to having votes, if necessary, at about 9:30 tonight.

Mr. WARNER. As we say in the law, I plead nolo contendere.

Mr. WARNER. If we get the cooperation and Senators call--we are right here on the floor--and indicate that you desire to have an amendment, we will see if we can accept it. If we cannot, we will proceed to put it in line. I say to the leadership that we are going to hear from the distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia. Following that, I know of one amendment on this side by Senator Hutchison, the Senator from Texas. And we have the amendment by the Senator from New Jersey. Is that my understanding?

Mr. WARNER. Could we put those in order now, but maybe not lock them in?

Mr. WARNER. I think I can make those arrangements.

Mr. WARNER. Fifteen minutes, or less. We may be able to accept it without requiring a vote.

Mr. WARNER. I am agreeable to that unanimous consent request.

Mr. WARNER. How soon would the Senator be willing to share the text of the amendment with the managers?

Mr. WARNER. We thank the Senator from Iowa for that cooperation because, frankly, we don't know of many more amendments. We are nearing the end.

Mr. WARNER. There is no objection on this side.

Mr. WARNER. I appreciate the patience of the Senator from Florida.