John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, today the Senate will resume consideration of the Department of Defense authorization bill. Under the order, there will be a total of 90 minutes on the Kerrey amendment regarding strategic forces, and the Warner second-degree amendment. Following that debate, there will be up to 2 hours of debate on the Johnson and Warner amendments regarding CHAMPUS and TRICARE. After the use or yielding back of that time, there will be up to four votes on the pending amendments. Therefore, Senators can expect votes to begin not later than 1 p.m. Those Senators who intend to offer amendments are encouraged to work with the bill managers in an effort to complete this important legislation prior to the end of this week. Further votes can be anticipated during today's session of the Senate. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at 11:00 am to hold a business meeting.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at 2:30 p.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Building to conduct a hearing on S. 2508, the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act Amendments of 2000.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Joint Economic Committee be permitted to meet on June 6, 2000 from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on June 7, 2000 from the hours of 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building to conduct a congressional hearing on high technology.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Business Rights and Competition be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at 2:00 p.m., in SD226.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. I understand that.

Mr. WARNER. Absolutely, Mr. President.

Mr. WARNER. Reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I want to advise Senators that was in the timeframe allocated to the distinguished Senator from Nevada for the purpose of his amendment. That is how this time was freed up. Otherwise, Senator Levin and I are anxious to keep this bill moving. Following presentations by two distinguished colleagues, we should proceed, then, to the McCain-Levin amendment on base closure.

Mr. WARNER. I thank the Senator for that reference to Senator Thurmond. Indeed, he crossed the beaches in a glider and crashed and was wounded. He got out and took right on his duties. Also, late last night, Senator Carl Levin and I put in an amendment which was accepted, was cosponsored by all the veterans of World War II who are now in the Senate, some eight or nine, and it provided $6 million toward the memorial that is being constructed on The Mall. Earlier that day, our former distinguished majority leader and colleague, Robert Dole, accepted a $14.5 million contribution. Together with the $6 million of the Senate, and my understanding from Senator Dole, with whom I spoke late last night, that brings within completion the budget they had for design, construction, and otherwise for that memorial. It was a historic day.

Mr. WARNER. It is 12 minutes and 10 minutes. That falls within the period the Senator has reserved. We will put that in the form of a unanimous consent request. I thank the Senator for reference to those who served in World War II. I don't want to put myself in any category of the heroism displayed by Senator Inouye. I was a simple sailor serving in training command, waiting for the invasion of Japan. I always want to be careful.

Mr. WARNER. Fine. If I might inquire, for the purpose of addressing the Senate--not for putting in an amendment?

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the amendment by the distinguished minority whip, the Senator from Nevada, is one I intend, as manager of the bill, to accept because it has in it some provisions we have studied for many years. I think it is important we study it in the context of the conference. I am strongly in favor of a number of the concepts the Senator has raised. At the appropriate time I will indicate the acceptance of the measure.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I again propound the amended unanimous consent request.

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

Mr. WARNER. That is correct.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the other side has advised Senator Warner that the unanimous consent can be accepted provided that paragraph 3 relating to Senator Kennedy be taken out. I agree to that.

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

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to vitiate the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. WARNER. After the amendments of the Senator from Nevada are disposed of, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized as the manager of the bill.

Mr. WARNER. Following that, after the two votes, if two votes are necessary, the Senator from Nevada is recognized.

Mr. WARNER. It is my understanding we are now to turn to the amendment by the distinguished Senator from Nevada, Mr. Reid, after the next two votes.

Mr. WARNER. No. Fine. Let's review what President Bush did. In the final hours of the days of his Presidency, he did the START II. I understand that. But the point is, that was a process that evolved over many years. The work had been done. The studies had been done. All of it was in place ready for his signature. I say to the Senator, that is not the case in this instance. The last posture review of importance was 1994. Why this administration sought not to bring those up to date, to bring up a current one----

Mr. WARNER. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent Nancy Thompson of my staff be granted floor privileges during the consideration of this bill.