Mike Levin: “I am offering this with Senators McCain, Akaka, Warner, Murray, Graham, and about 40 other Senators who are listed on…”

“I am offering this with Senators McCain, Akaka, Warner, Murray, Graham, and about 40 other Senators who are listed on the amendment. This amendment, in bill form, was introduced on June 13 of this year. It was marked up and unanimously agreed to by the Armed Services Committee on the 14th of June. It was reported to the full Senate on the 18th of June. As of now, as I indicated, we have over 40 cosponsors. The ideas of many Senators and parts of legislation championed by many Senators are incorporated in this amendment. This is truly a bipartisan amendment. It is an amendment that has had a huge amount of input by many Senators. Although I would prefer the Senate consider this important legislation as a stand-alone provision, a stand-alone bill, because of the shortage of floor time, we now offer it as an amendment to the national defense authorization bill.”