I strongly believe the Senator from Pennsylvania is of clear conscience on this matter. Regarding the fact that he had these cosponsors and the fact that the House spoke on this in April, since the April timeframe--and I believe his…

I now ask that the amendments be laid aside. The leadership is in agreement that there will be no more votes tonight. We will now turn to other matters relating to the bill. My understanding, then, is these two amendments are now the…

I so note his comments. Again, addressing the Senator's amendment, it clearly, in my judgment, restricts in some respects the recognition that this is a sovereign government in Iraq today, in the hands of a duly elected Prime Minister and…

on behalf of myself and members of the Armed Services Committee, I send a series of amendments to the desk which have been cleared by myself and the ranking member. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider these…

if I might amend the UC to delete the last sentence which reads: Finally, I ask unanimous consent that following the offering of the amendment, Senator Chambliss be recognized in order to offer an amendment. I ask that sentence be dropped.

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…

I yield such time as our colleague wishes. I ask unanimous consent that each manager have at least 3 minutes to address this at the conclusion of the remarks by the Senator from Pennsylvania. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is…

Will the Senator yield back the 6 seconds so we can get to the vote? I regret we have to move forward.

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

I yield a minute to the distinguished senior Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Santorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania has 1 minute in opposition.

Let it be charged equally. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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

There are Senators who have to go to the Pentagon for a memorial service. The yeas and nays have been ordered.

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…

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.

we are under a unanimous consent agreement. The time, I believe, has expired. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 6 seconds remaining.

I so amend the unanimous consent request that there be a time not to exceed whatever is appropriate for this proper recognition by the Senate of the loss of life. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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.

I say to my very good and longtime friend, we have known each other since the closing months of the war in Vietnam when I was Secretary and he was serving in our naval service and returned. So I just think sometimes of the great fortune of…

we are prepared to go ahead with a voice vote at this time, if it is agreeable. I add my endorsement of the basic thrust of the amendment. Like others, I have had the opportunity to be debriefed by the inspector general, and I am very…

is the pending amendment the Dorgan amendment? The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is the pending amendment.

the ranking member, together with our leadership, had hoped to have a vote. That will not occur at this time. We are contemplating having that vote, which would be on the Dorgan amendment, at 3:45 today. At this time, I cannot speak to the…

I advise the Senate we are, as we say in the Navy, well underway on this bill. The Senator from Michigan and I are anxious to learn from Senators their desire to have amendments. We will do the best we can to accommodate them because it…

Oh, yes, once upon a time he occupied that chair, I say, with respect to the Presiding Officer, the President of the Senate, the one and only function and duty enumerated in the Constitution of the Vice President. Madam President, I invite…

I thank my longtime colleague and friend, Senator Levin, for his remarks. I advise the Senate at this time we will proceed to the vote. I will momentarily make a tabling motion, and then upon conclusion of the vote, we will return to the…