Mark Warner

There comes a time every now and then to reflect on the past with a sense of humor. When I was a young Senator many years ago, one of the Senator's predecessors was Russell Long. His expertise was in the area of taxes. How many times, I…

One of the last amendments we were dealing with was on personnel issues. Anyway, the Senator from Louisiana found time to be here, given the tremendous burdens that she has in connection with the tragic suffering in her State, past…

Yes, proceeding to the Appropriations Committee, where some think all power resides in the Senate. Nevertheless, to think that the Senator found time to work on this amendment, as she has on a number of personnel issues through the…

First I commend all Senators who have participated in this debate. Each time I listen to the distinguished Senator from Louisiana, I say to my ranking member, she was a very valued member of our committee before she went AWOL.

I point out, yes, the Senate has passed it, but for various reasons, conferences have not accepted it, so it is not in law today.

I think we have different perspectives. But pay is a very significant thing in every military person's life. We have to adjust. We certainly have to recognize. What you are in a sense doing, Sears has opted as an employer to do as you…

I wish to indicate to my colleagues that I have carefully studied this. I support the Ensign amendment. I defer to my colleague, Senator Levin.

Would the Senator be able to supply for the record the references that he says would define further the word ``significant''? You said it is defined in law. Could you cite those laws upon which you rely?

The standard you have is ``could have a significant adverse impact.'' Do you have any criteria for ``significant''? As you and I both know, having dealt in these areas for many years, we often look at things that are classified and we say…

Let me interrupt. I want to make certain that time used during the colloquy is divided equally, that when I speak, it is charged to my time, and the Senator from New Jersey, as he speaks, the time will be charged to him; is that agreeable?

I understand what the consequences are. But I want to make certain the Senator was trying to draw this up in such a way that, no matter how misfortunate, if it is unintentioned, then that would not be a violation.

I presume there will be an opportunity. We are making progress. But there are junctures at which time Senators can address various aspects of the bill, including the distinguished Senator from Nevada.

That would be the desire of the manager. I wish to inquire of the proponent. Does he agree to the course of action?

We need to inquire as to the issues of the proponent of the amendment, as to the allocation of time. What is his desire on that?

It is also important, with my colleague on the floor, that we are bound by this UC, 12 amendments on each side, and as we bring up amendments, I carefully designate, as the Senator from Michigan does, that they are within the 12 each side…

Therefore, I think we could go on the bill time for the purpose of discussing the Senator's amendment in the hopes what differences remain could be reconciled so this amendment could be included as part of the managers' agreed-upon…

May I inquire of the proponent of the amendment, I heard him use the term ``military cemeteries.'' There are State and Federal cemeteries. This amendment is directed at Federal cemeteries?

We have a technical problem we have to address with regard to the UC request; that is, we are operating this bill under a UC, 12 amendments each side. This is not 1 of the 12.

Before we depart, I hope the Senator could share with me and the Republican leadership, with the understandable impediments our two leaders have, with regard to votes and scheduling them. We want to try to----

Again, I strongly support the principle and the goals the Senator is seeking, but I have to be mindful of the practicalities of military life. It is so different than the families who are in our several States, wherever they may be, and…

If I could interject at this time, personally, my own philosophy is in agreement with the objective. My only concern as manager of the authorization bill of the Department of Defense is that I cannot let my personal beliefs override my…

And then if the Senator would address also the issue of the U.S. Federal district court being a participant in this situation.

The Senator has submitted to me an amendment which is in our allocation of 12 amendments regarding the notification that you deem important with military families, should they seek to access a military hospital for the performance of an…

This is helpful to colleagues as they are doing their work tonight in support of what we are trying to achieve with final passage tomorrow. amendment no. 2423

That would not be the proposed second degree to the Chambliss amendment? The Chambliss amendment is Guard and Reserve, too.