John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call not be charged to the time of either the proponent of the amendment or those who will be giving a different perspective, perhaps, in opposition.

Mr. WARNER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, in consultation with the ranking member, we are anxious to move now to further debate on the Kerry amendment. For that purpose, if we could get an estimate of the amount of time that might be required and we could proceed to the second-degree amendment. Could the Senator advise the managers how quickly we could proceed with the resolution of your amendment, first and second degree to be offered by Senators Roberts and Rockefeller, short debate on that, and such final debate as needed on the underlying amendment, and move to a vote?

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, that is correct, I say to my distinguished colleague. The proposal, eventually is that you will have some sort of a----

Mr. WARNER. That is correct, but then, as we have with others, if it is desired by the three principals here, to do it in a side-by-side fashion. There is a parliamentary means to do that.

Mr. WARNER. Fine. In that event, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. WARNER. The group that is working on the Kerry amendment, with the proposed Roberts-Rockefeller second degree, is working diligently, but it is important that we continue on the bill. At this time, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment by the Senator from Massachusetts be laid aside and that the Senator from South Carolina be recognized for the purpose of offering an amendment.

Mr. WARNER. That can easily be arranged.

Mr. WARNER. I so ask.

Mr. WARNER. I yield the floor.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, would the Senator be willing to amend this by saying that the time remaining between now and 4:30 be equally divided between himself and Senator Graham? Would that serve your purpose?

Mr. WARNER. There are no objections that I know of, Mr. President.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I have to at this time object. I suggest the absence of a quorum so we can hopefully resolve this.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I can only say to my colleague, having been a part of this, we seemed to reach a consensus. Staffs on both sides compiled this UC request, which my understanding is it was cleared, subject to clarification by the Senator from Michigan, and it was a concluded matter.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, do I understand now that the Presiding Officer has ruled that the UC is in place that I so stated?

Mr. WARNER. I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.

Mr. WARNER. Suppose we had a voice vote and you determined from the resounding ayes if it meets your specifications?

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I say to my good friend, we have worked with you in a most cooperative way. I would like to have the attention of my good friend. We have worked with you in a most cooperative way. What I am trying to do is convenience a number of Members who have commitments tonight. I once more ask if you will not accept this on a voice vote.

Mr. WARNER. I will ask all.

Mr. WARNER. If there is no objection. So once again I ask my colleague if we could voice vote this amendment?

Mr. WARNER. Yes.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. At this point in time, a vote is imminent.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, under the order, the Senate is about to address the amendment by the distinguished Senator from North Dakota. Amendment No. 2476

Mr. WARNER. Yes.