Bob Menendez: “with reference to the concerns the Senator from Maine raised, let me just say the amendment we just adopted says we are…”

“with reference to the concerns the Senator from Maine raised, let me just say the amendment we just adopted says we are going to scan 100 percent of the containers that have been identified as high risk before they leave the United States. So that is the very essence of what we seek to do as well. Secondly, the only amendment before the Senate that will move us to a plan to get to 100 percent scanning of all cargo in this country is the amendment presently before the Senate. If you want to continue to allow a mathematical equation to determine how we inspect only 5 percent of the cargo in this country, then that is what you just accomplished. If you want to move toward a plan to get 100 percent scanning of all the cargo that comes into this country, giving the Department of Homeland Security the opportunity to develop such a plan, then this amendment is the one you want to vote for. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The yeas and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. The following Senator was necessarily absent: the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Chafee).”