DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I listened carefully to my good friend from Nevada, the Democratic leader. I don't want to unduly prolong the discussion because Chairman Warner and Ranking Member Levin are here to do business on the bill. The more the Democratic leader and myself talk, the less able they are to offer amendments and move forward with the bill.
I would say this, however. I don't know that it is written on some tablet somewhere that we need to spend multiple weeks on a DOD authorization bill, particularly in a time of war. We turned to this bill last Wednesday night. That is Wednesday night, Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday before the cloture vote would ripen. During all of that time, Senators could offer nongermane amendments. And then if cloture is invoked, there are 30 additional hours for amendments to be offered that are germane to the Defense bill. I don't think there is any particular reason why the Senate ought not to, particularly in a time of war, do this bill in a more expeditious manner and allow us to also complete other matters before the Senate, one of which the Democratic leader just pointed out he is in favor of, before we leave next week. We are open for business this morning. Chairman Warner and Senator Levin are here. Others are here who want to offer amendments. We encourage that. That is why we are in session today.
My suggestion to all of us is that we move forward with the business that is before the Senate this morning.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority leader.
Mr. REID. Madam President, I don't need to get the last word, but I have to get make sure the facts are spread across this Senate. Let's not be misled. Wednesday, opening statements; Thursday, one amendment voted on; Friday, nothing voted on; Monday, nothing voted on. I guess we will vote Monday night sometime. Tuesday, please help me on that, we ought to vote this Tuesday morning. And then to talk about 30 hours afterwards, that is one of the biggest farces we have around here. If you are lucky, you can have a vote or two during the 30 hours, but remember, there is no necessity to have a vote on anything. It is all up to the majority what they let us vote on.
In a time of war, does that mean we speed through this? I would think that we should take an inordinate amount of time, lots of time, when we are in a state of war. And we are in a state of war. Just ask the people of Great Britain.
I am glad we are here to do business today. The managers are here. Senator Kennedy is here to offer an amendment. But especially in a time of war, let's at least do the average amount of debate on this bill.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Kentucky.
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I don't want to prolong it any further because we are taking up time for the offering of amendments which we encourage. We are anxious to have amendments. We are willing to have votes. We are not trying to deny anybody the opportunity to offer their amendment or to have votes. That is why the chairman and ranking member are here today. I see Senator Warner is ready to do business.
I yield the floor.
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