Mark Warner

Yes, 3 minutes to the Senator from New Jersey, with an additional 3 minutes to the Senator from Pennsylvania, and then the vote.

First, I ask the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania, in fairness, I think he should wrap this debate up. How many minutes does he desire?

I am not able to answer that question. I believe that would be correct. I would be perfectly willing to have it that way because I know we did Senator Durbin's this morning.

We should consult with leadership. The yeas and nays having been ordered, I wonder if the Senator would be gracious enough to allow the Senator from Michigan and myself to consult with leadership as to the time for a vote.

May I commend our distinguished senior colleague, former majority leader of the Senate, for that brilliant speech, most appropriate on this day. I am certain that speech will be carried and viewed by our troops wherever they are in the…

I will now propound a unanimous consent agreement which I think is in the possession of my colleague.

I got unanimous consent to have this printed in the Record but as a courtesy gave the Senator a copy thinking the Senator may wish to supplement it.

It seems to me, if the Senator withdraws the amendment, the managers can work with him and then the Senator from Florida can speak to the generic substance of the amendment, which I believe is a very important amendment.

The Senator from Florida desires to speak regarding the National Guard. For that purpose--oh, yes, Mr. President, I had indicated to the distinguished Senator from Texas that she could speak. She wanted how much time?

Set aside. At the appropriate time, will the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania, when he completes his remarks, move to have this amendment set aside for the time being?

I think we are concluded on the amendments. We are proceeding in an orderly fashion. The amendment pending is that of the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin; am I correct, or has that been put forward yet?

I wish to advise the Senator that we have carefully examined the amendment and we are prepared to accept it on this side.

Then I think for the moment that we are confronted with the parliamentary situation whereby there is objection.

If it is the desire of the Senator from West Virginia to object, I respect that right. The matter will now be put aside, if that is your desire.

I have just been given a note indicating the leader will be fully briefed about the concerns of the Senator from Massachusetts.

Yes, I believe, I say to the distinguished former leader, I have the floor, but I yield the floor to him.

The Senator has the right to object. That would do it. I can certainly say that I will relay the Senator's concerns to my leader. If that would suffice for the moment to allow this unanimous consent agreement to go forward? Would that be…

If the Senator would like to take a minute or two, I would be happy to have you alert the Senate as to some of the matters you will be bringing up.

At the present time the bill is being amended by the amendment which you just addressed, and there is a pending amendment offered by the minority. That is the next order of business. This afternoon, I think there would be opportunity for…

I anticipate that. The Senator from Michigan will have it as soon as it is in final form.

I again thank my long-time friend, the ranking member of this committee. We shall now be available for amendments. The bill is open for amendment. I intend to remain here for a while this evening. I think there is a strong likelihood that…

Before the Senator parts the floor, I say thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, I do graciously and willingly step down. It is the rules of our caucus, and I respect that. But it has been a marvelous opportunity for me to have this 6…

I wonder if I might ask if we could extend the time over here for a few minutes, maybe 5 minutes, to make a brief statement on this issue.

The hour is late. I humbly thank the dear Lord for the strength and wisdom He has given me, for the support and the friendship of--I calculated--the 241 Senators I have served with during this time, and for a family that has stood by me…

I ask if I might have the privilege of introducing the visiting pastor who gave the morning prayer before the Senator from Oklahoma speaks.