Mike Levin: “I thank the Chair. I cannot vote for cloture on this bill because it would make it impossible to consider highly…”

“I thank the Chair. I cannot vote for cloture on this bill because it would make it impossible to consider highly important amendments for our troops and their families and amendments to enhance our Nation's security. One hundred twenty amendments are filled. The Parliamentarian can't tell us even how many are relevant but, because they are not technically germane, will not be permitted to come to a vote if cloture is invoked. The stakes for our security in the middle of war are too great not to take an extra few days to consider important relevant amendments. I vote to take those extra few days rather than to prematurely end debate. I will vote against cloture. Cloture Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on H.R. 2863: the Department of Defense appropriations bill. Bill Frist, Ted Stevens, Daniel Inouye, Mel Martinez, Mitch McConnell, Bob Bennett, George Allen, Chuck Hagel, Tom Coburn, Richard Burr, Lisa Murkowski, John Thune, Lamar Alexander, Richard Shelby, Jon Kyl, Jeff Sessions, Saxby Chambliss. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on H.R.…”