Chris Dodd: “I thank the clerk for reading the full motion. Normally, I would interrupt the reading by the clerk, but I thought it…”

“I thank the clerk for reading the full motion. Normally, I would interrupt the reading by the clerk, but I thought it important that those interested in the debate would understand what the motion is. This is a motion to instruct the conferees to support an amendment this body passed 2 weeks ago. That evening, my good friend from Iowa, the chairman of the committee, in an awkward moment--it was a rather complicated moment involving an amendment--offered a substitute that took the heart of my amendment without the offsets that were included in my amendment, which this body adopted unanimously on a voice vote. I am offering a motion to instruct the conferees to support that amendment. I also hope they will reconsider some of the offsets we suggested in the amendment I offered when this matter was debated by the full Senate. I would like to remind my colleagues that the proposal I offered the other evening was strongly endorsed and supported by the American Legion, a group that certainly understands the importance of providing the support and backing our veterans deserve, particularly those who are returning from theaters of conflict today in Afghanistan and Iraq. I ask unanimous consent this letter from the American Legion be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: The American Legion, Washington, DC, February 2, 2006. Hon. Christopher J. Dodd, Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.…”