Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is my understanding we are now on the Homeland Security appropriations bill?

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

AMENDMENT NO. 3578

Mr. REID. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Baucus, I send an amendment to the desk. It is amendment No. 3578. I think it is already at the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the pending amendments are set aside.

The clerk will report the amendment.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid], for Mr. Baucus, for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Burns, proposes an amendment numbered 3578.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The amendment is as follows:

(Purpose: To make available to the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security $200,000,000 to establish and operate air bases in the States of Michigan, Montana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington and to permit fees for certain customs services to be collected until June 1, 2005)

On page 39, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following new section:

SEC. 515. (a) The total amount appropriated by title II for the Office of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security under the heading "AIR AND MARINE INTERDICTION, OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND PROCUREMENT" is hereby increased by $200,000,000. Of such total amount, as so increased, $200,000,000 shall be available for the establishment and operation of air bases in the States of Michigan, Montana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.

(b) Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(j)(3)) is amended by striking "March 1, 2005" and inserting "June 1, 2005".

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

Mr. COCHRAN. I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

AMENDMENT NO. 3578, AS AMENDED

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to amendment No. 3578, as amended.

The amendment (No. 3578) was agreed to.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was agreed to.

Mr. REID. I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

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Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendments be set aside for purposes of offering an amendment.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

AMENDMENT NO. 3617

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.

The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid], for Mr. Lautenberg, proposes an amendment numbered 3617.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The amendment is as follows:

(Purpose: To ensure that the Coast Guard has sufficient resources for its traditional core missions)

On page 14, line 2, strike "$5,153,220,000, of which $1,090,000,000 shall be for defense-related activities;" and insert "5,253,220,000 of which $1,090,000,000 shall be for defense-related activities; and of which, $100,000,000 shall be for non-homeland security missions defined by Sec. 888(a)(1) of Public Law 107-296.".

Mr. REID. Mr. President, this amendment calls for $100 million for the U.S. Coast Guard. Senator Lautenberg at a subsequent time will come and debate this matter. It is my understanding that the leadership wishes to have this as one of the votes that would occur on Monday evening.

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Mr. REID. Mr. President, as indicated by the cosponsor of this amendment, it is totally supported on this side. We appreciate the chairman of the committee moving forward on this most important amendment to increase funding for these agencies as set forth therein.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, this question is on agreeing to the amendment.

The amendment (No. 3618) was agreed to.

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

Mr. REID. I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.