On the recordNovember 30, 2011
just to reinforce something the Senator from Arizona said, these are amendments there is no objection to on the substance. We have worked very hard, working with all the Senators, to clear amendments. That process will continue after the cloture vote as well. But we now have this group we have worked very hard on. We know of no objection. If there were an objection, they would not be in a cleared package. So we know of no objection. None have been forthcoming. They have been here for a day or two now, and the Senate needs to work its will. This is the way we should be operating, if there is no objection to an amendment, if people have had a chance to look at it. They have been cleared on both sides. Any committee on jurisdiction that has an interest has been talked to, and that has been taken care of. This is, it seems to me, the right way to proceed. I commend Senator McCain for what he just said and join with him in that sentiment. The bill we have before us that we will be voting cloture on at about 11 o'clock would authorize $662 billion for national defense programs. This is $27 billion less than the President's budget request. It is $43 billion less than the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2011.…
