John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. And recognize that there could be a second degree.

Mr. WARNER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. WARNER. Before we commence the vote, I ask the distinguished Democratic leader if he would be willing to agree to a firm time agreement on this vote of 15 minutes to be followed immediately by a second vote of 10 minutes.

Mr. WARNER. That would be 10 minutes?

Mr. WARNER. So modified.

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

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I think that is a bit strong. The understanding on this side is that we would proceed on into the night. Quite candidly, I say to colleagues, we are hoping to, one way or another, either accept the amendments or stack votes tomorrow morning which would be consistent with the Senator's representation that there will no further rollcall votes tonight. But tonight many Senators are going to participate on the floor in the proposal of these amendments or action on them.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I think the Democratic leader and I have pretty well stated the case for the evening.

Mr. WARNER. Might I inquire about the amendment of the Senator from California?

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am working on that problem. It is a very legitimate request. I am working on that tonight.

Mr. WARNER. The Senator has made that case clear. So far as I know, I can say for my side, I know of no request at this time for a rollcall vote. We will work through the amendments this evening.

Mr. WARNER. I think we are pretty near complete on that list. I have indicated to my colleagues that by this time they should have brought the amendments to the managers.

Mr. WARNER. I object.

Mr. WARNER. I apologize to the Chair. I have six things going on at one time.

Mr. WARNER. Objection from the Senator from Virginia.

Mr. WARNER. May I say to my distinguished colleague from Washington that I recognize through the years she has been a steadfast proponent for those women in the armed services faced with the difficult choice you have outlined to the Senate tonight. I express regret, but the distinguished ranking member and myself have been, throughout the deliberations on this bill, not acting in any way as the Supreme Court to overrule the ruling of the Parliamentarian on these amendments. We have tried to be fair, equitable on both sides. We have not waived one time. It is with regret that I had to interpose this objection because I recognize the merits of the amendment which you have had. You have done it now how many years, Senator?

Mr. WARNER. Seven years.

Mr. WARNER. Yes, indeed.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I respond to my colleague, with all due respect, I will not try and engage in an evaluation of how the Parliamentarian goes about the votes; that is, determining whether or not each amendment is relevant. But I would say I do not recall in years past the issue of relevancy having been raised on the Senator's amendment. I stand to be corrected.

Mr. WARNER. It depends on the content of the bill to which that ruling was addressed.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum to allow time in which the Parliamentarian can examine the amendment.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wish to commend our distinguished colleague from Delaware. He has worked very diligently on this issue since the first moment he joined the Senate. You have been very helpful to the distinguished ranking member and myself in bringing these matters to our attention and to other members of the committee. I think the Department of the Air Force and indeed the whole Armed Forces that are so heavily dependent on airlift owe you a debt of gratitude.

Mr. WARNER. My understanding is you are not making a request, you are just advising the Chair and the Senate. I wish to, in courtesy, advise you I know of at least one amendment in the second degree and there could be two.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I would have to inquire of the language of the amendments.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, we are endeavoring to do a good deal of work on the bill this evening. I don't know the duration of the time the Senator wishes.