John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Would the Chair kindly advise the Senate with regard to the pending business.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. With the next President.

Mr. WARNER. Any time before. It doesn't limit it to the end of 2001. It could be done earlier on.

Mr. WARNER. Let me finish. Then, not addressing the SIOPs in any way--I think you understand why we should not do that--I believe that it is unwise, given the current posture of the studies and the fact that on the face they are not up to date--certainly there has been no revelation that these studies are up to date--that we should be making decisions with regard to numbers at this time. I simply will not put my finger on any particular number. Your assumption is reasonable, but I am not going to accede to it.

Mr. WARNER. First, I thank my colleague for his comments with regard to me. But, No. 1, I never commented on SIOPs. I think that is a classification that should not in any way be breached.

Mr. WARNER. Why didn't your President take those initiatives several years ago? What I am saying to you now is, before this President or any other President begins to make an assessment of a magnitude such as this, they better have in place an up-to-date analysis. That is essentially what I am saying. For the record, I would like to read from the George W. Bush statement: As President, I will ask the Secretary of Defense to conduct an assessment on our nuclear posture and determine how best to meet our security needs. While the exact number of weapons can come only from such an assessment, I will pursue the lowest possible number consistent with our national security.

Mr. WARNER. I give to my colleague two responses: No. 1--and I am not trying to be critical of this President's administration--why didn't they do that several years ago? Because the deterioration of the infrastructure and the financial situation in Russia has been an ongoing situation for several years. It commenced under Yeltsin.

Mr. WARNER. But with certain appendages thereto.

Mr. WARNER. Factual.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I also owe the Senator an answer on a procedural matter which I am prepared to, regrettably, give, but I will give it to him.

Mr. WARNER. I say it is outdated. Mr. President, 1994 is when the last assessment was made.

Mr. WARNER. In the first place, the law of the land is still intact until the Senate and, indeed, the House are in conference and the President signs this bill. At the moment, the law of the land precludes him from doing that. What I am trying to offer is a relevant course of action whereby the next President has the opportunity to address this situation in the context of a fresh QDR and a fresh up-to-date analysis of all the strategic threats, what the other nations possess, and the like. That is effectively what I am trying to do.

Mr. WARNER. What I am saying, practically speaking, is I do not think President Clinton can do it in a judicious and effective way, given the time limitations between now and the end of his term of office.

Mr. WARNER. We may not agree, but do we understand that is what I am endeavoring to do?

Mr. WARNER. The Senator from Virginia comes along and says there could be merit in waiving this and a future President should have the option to waive it, provided he does certain preliminary steps as outlined in the amendment of the Senator of Virginia. Are we agreeable with that interpretation?

Mr. WARNER. Let us frame the argument from that. Congress has already done it. The question is: Should we continue, if we put this into permanent law now, so it is permanent? Am I not correct on that?

Mr. WARNER. Fine, and that is precisely what the Senator wants to take out.

Mr. WARNER. Wouldn't the distinguished colleague from Nebraska say that there Congress expressed its will and put limitations on the powers of the President?

Mr. WARNER. It is the same thing.

Mr. WARNER. That is correct. We are looking at the conference report for the 1998 authorization bill on page 330, section 1302, ``Limitation on Retirement or Dismantlement of Strategic Nuclear Delivery Systems.''

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7. I further ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate then resume consideration of S. 2549, the Department of Defense authorization bill under the previous order.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, the committee substitute be agreed to, as amended, the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar 548, S. 2311.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the nomination of Robert S. Larussa, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, received on May 25, 2000, be jointly referred to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the staff members of the Committee on Armed Services appearing on the list I send to the desk be extended the privilege of the floor during consideration of S. 2549, and further, that David Hahn, a military fellow serving in my Senate office be granted floor privileges for the duration of S. 2549.