Mark Warner

I find there is no effort to change the authority of the Secretary of State in the selection of his people to do the work. But I feel strongly that the work done by the Department of State serves the whole community. It isn't exclusive to…

I remember how many times on this floor the Senator has recounted the importance of his wife's role in his career... she would come with a little lunch bag with a carton of milk and a sandwich to tide him over until he left the Chamber…

I think it does, and that is why I have put in this paragraph, which is very explicit. This paragraph relates to the members of the Joint Intelligence Community Council, which I enumerated before as the several Cabinet…

Any member of the Joint Intelligence Community Council may make such recommendation to Congress relating to the intelligence community as such member considers appropriate. So in this particular law is specific authority for those Cabinet…

If I could transition to the second part of this, the budget is prepared and approved by the President. It is then acted upon by the Congress by authorization and appropriation and it goes to the NID. Am I correct?

So, therefore, should not the Secretary of Defense have a voice--and I would like to see how we can describe that voice--in the compilation of that budget for the national program which in part supports the efforts of the forces in the…

I asked that if a construction of this language we received today is full budget authority, it could lead someone to the conclusion that everything was transferred.

The question is the language sent up by the administration did have a breakout of the budget authority as relates to certain parts of the overall programs performed by these combat agencies. I ask our distinguished manager of the bill…

I acknowledge that, the JMIP and the TIARA in the language sent up. But it seems to me the writer of this could have been somewhat more explicit in the communication because this is an important communication to guide Senators desiring to…

I hope to be on the Senate floor when they do that. I wonder if the managers of the bill might acquaint them with the title 10 and title 50 provisions and ask where in the amendment those provisions are modified; otherwise, we are going to…

I would draw that argument to the attention of the distinguished manager of the bill. My understanding, in reading some of your comments, is that I do not find in this amendment where there is a clear delineation of authority and that…

I say to my good friend, a little humor now and then is well advised. But I understand precisely the question directed to me. Let us read your amendment. Would you read your amendment and show me where that residual authority under titles…

I pointed out specific provisions of the law requiring certain accountability of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. We do not want to do patchwork legislation. My understanding, after reading and studying your…

I commend my colleague. He has worked very hard on the Speicher case and undoubtedly his commitment will carry forward. I suggest, based on what was said yesterday, that he will be in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy. He has the…

Suppose they wish to do it not by statute but actually by an amendment to their constitution? The Senator and I understand that a constitutional amendment has a greater longevity than a statute because what the legislature does via statute…

As always and customary with the distinguished Senator from South Dakota, you have spoken to the situation factually. Historically, that is the way we have dealt with those matters in the Senate. I appreciate you respect my position as a…

I expressed a willingness to indicate to both colleagues that the Senate bill contains a provision coauthored by my two distinguished colleagues on a subject that is of great importance to the men and women of our military.

I thank my friend. These many years we have worked, really, as partners, and achieved one of the highest degrees of bipartisanship in the discharge of our respective responsibilities, together with the staffs.

Yes, I am. I certainly understand the Senator's concerns, and I can tell him that I am hopeful that as we move forward and reconcile this very important bill with that of the House in conference, we will take a very careful look at these…

I believe we looked to remedy this with the FAIR Act in 1998. Am I not correct in stating that this law basically says that federal agencies should inventory government services that are commercial in nature, and then review whether these…

The Senator from Georgia is quite correct in his observation and assessment and our committee has urged the Department to move forward with its economic analysis of engine alternatives for this critical fleet of aircraft. The Senator from…

Thank you for offering me the opportunity to clarify this point. In my view, the intent of this amendment was not to call into question the performance of the AFRTS. Indeed, as my staff and I examined the proposed amendment originally…

Yes. That would clearly be one factor among several that should be considered, consistent with the goal of providing the same type and quality of American radio and television news, information, and entertainment that would be available to…

I understand that accuracy has been a problem with some systems developed to date so new approaches would be welcomed.

I would agree wholeheartedly with the Senator from North Carolina's statement. At a time when we are relying more and more on our National Guard and Reserve forces to defend our national security, we must continue to provide direct and…