On the authorization bill for the Armed Forces? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The authorization bill is the pending legislative business, so the answer is yes.

unless there are other Members seeking recognition, I know our distinguished colleague from New Mexico wishes to speak, and we will continue in morning business with Senators speaking up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

We will, of course, I say to my good friend, in due course comment and provide a response to, first, your request on procedure, and, second, to the substance of this very important amendment. So I thank you for the cooperation that you…

Upon the conclusion of that vote, would the Chair advise, are there any orders with regard to the business to be conducted then by the Senate? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume legislative session.

I simply would say, it says ``Senate resume legislative session.'' It should be: The Senate will resume the session of morning business. We wouldn't return to legislation right away. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without…

I am advised the distinguished majority leader will momentarily come to the floor for purposes of stating the proposal we have with regard to the matters Senator Kennedy addressed earlier. Until such time occurs, I suggest the absence of a…

I return to my original unanimous consent request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the Senator from Massachusetts being recognized for 30 minutes in morning business? Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from…

I thank my colleague. I notice in this amendment, though, language quite similar to what we had last year in one provision on this amendment. At this time, unless the Senator from New Mexico desires to further address the Senate, I suggest…

I see the distinguished minority whip here. Maybe he could advise us what his ascertainment might be with regard to the balance of amendments on that side.

Whatever the distinguished Senator from Illinois wishes, please proceed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to recognizing the Senator from Illinois for 10 minutes? Without objection, it is so ordered.

Only in the sense that the two leaders and you and I come to the floor. I am not suggesting cloture or anything of that nature. I would hope this bill could be passed on by the Senate without the benefit of any cloture motion.

Fine. The Senators I have indicated here on my sheet are Senators Sessions, Obama, Allard, Salazar, and I judge that scribbling is Senator Warner of Virginia.

I say to my distinguished ranking member, I think at this time it would be appropriate if the Senator wishes to bring up his amendment. We are in business, I say to my colleagues wherever they are, for purposes of amendments. The Senator…

if I could engage my distinguished ranking member in a colloquy, historically this amendment is almost identical in form to what came before the Senate on 14 September last fall, 2005. It was defeated by a vote of 53 to 44. And that was on…

So we have a procedure on that. For the moment, I suggest we set aside the pending amendment and turn to the matter of trying to clear some amendments on this side. Is that appropriate at this time?

What I would suggest we do is have a consultation with Senators Collins and Lieberman and then follow up with a letter, if we deem appropriate.

That committee has done a prodigious amount of work. I certainly commend the chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee. They are workers.

Senator Frist and I have discussed that. I believe he is in conversation with the leadership on your side. I heartily endorse that approach. Perhaps we could formalize it in some way.

I was much taken by the remarks of the Senator from North Dakota. I have great respect for the Senator from North Dakota. I tell you, you do a lot of homework. You do a lot of independent work. And while I do not have the expertise with…

I send a series of amendments to the desk which have been cleared by myself and the distinguished ranking member. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the amendments en bloc, the amendments be agreed to, the motions to…

I say to my good friend, yes, there are instances of fraud and abuse, and work has been done by the Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee. I believe Senator Akaka is on that committee from your side of the aisle. It is a lot of…

I am delighted to accommodate my colleague. I would hope we could discourse this matter in the traditional way of a colloquy, but if you want the exclusive right to the floor--if that is your desire--then I yield the floor, Mr. President…

following that, I ask unanimous consent the Senator from Arizona be recognized. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Massachusetts.

first I would like to say to my colleague, we have had a very strong, fervent and heartfelt debate, not a brouhaha by any definition of the use of those terms. We have heard from two of the most respected combat veterans currently serving…

We did make progress. There will be a briefing in S-407 tomorrow with regard to operations in Iraq. Members of the Senate are invited. I expect we will convene in the morning under an order later this evening from the leadership, but we…