Mr. President, we are going to have a vote here shortly, and it is going to be one of the major, significant votes. First of all, I know the occupier of the Chair is very aware of the things we have been doing in the committee called…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized for such time as I may consume. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 12, 2016, at 5 p.m., to hold a classified briefing entitled ``The Failed Coup in Turkey and…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now vote on these amendment en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

I know of no further debate on these amendments. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendments en bloc. The amendments (Nos. 4981 and 4991) were agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The…

Madam President, we have a couple of votes coming up that are very significant, and the occupier of the chair is fully aware of it, having served on the committee that has worked on this legislation. I have to say one thing about the stuff…

I think Senator Boxer's side has done a better job of getting their amendments in than our side. In talking to her and the leader over there, the Democratic side is down to about seven amendments that are being considered. I encourage our…

On behalf of the committee, I withdraw the committee- reported amendments. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendments are withdrawn. Amendment No. 4979 (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute.) Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I call up the…

Mr. President, first of all, being one of the managers of the bill, the WRDA bill that we are all anxious to consider, along with Senator Boxer--she and I as well as the leadership, are in agreement, that we should take this bill and…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To make a technical correction) Strike section 6002 and insert…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I be recognized for as much time as I shall consume. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, first of all, let me say something about this. I would ask if Senator Boxer would like to be heard before I make some remarks on this or if we can have a colloquy, in which case I would ask a question. We have done some good…

Let me thank the Senator from California. Let's continue this productivity. We have a chance to do it now on this very significant bill. We had a conversation with the leadership, and I think she and I and the leadership agree that we can…

That's good. Let's talk a little bit about this because yesterday I talked about what is going to happen if we don't pass a WRDA bill. Keep in mind that we have gone sometimes as long as 7 or 8 years without passing one. We are supposed to…

Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 4980. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Oklahoma [Mr. Inhofe] proposes an amendment numbered 4980 to amendment No…

the move has been to make these agencies structurally independent from Congress, and that is very dangerous.

They were going to be specialized in their area to be able to get faster, non-political responses.

I would have no issue eliminating that for Unfunded Mandates Reform Act because again, that was a compromise that was made years ago that has proved to be an error.