Dirk Kempthorne: “This morning I received a personal phone call from the Secretary of Defense, William Perry, who thanked me as a member…”

“This morning I received a personal phone call from the Secretary of Defense, William Perry, who thanked me as a member of the committee for all of the efforts that the committee put forth so that we could have this bill completed in conference, and the fact that it was here before the Senate. The Secretary indicated that he was so pleased with this authorization of the conference report, and he said that he was communicating to the President his strong desire that the President sign this bill because this is what the Pentagon wants, and this is what the administration wants. Is that the Senator's understanding as well? And, again, is there any reason in the world we should not move on this tonight and give the administration what they have asked for?”