under the order, the Senate is about to address the amendment by the distinguished Senator from North Dakota. Amendment No. 2476 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.

The group that is working on the Kerry amendment, with the proposed Roberts-Rockefeller second degree, is working diligently, but it is important that we continue on the bill. At this time, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment by the…

With time being given to the Senator from North Dakota if he wishes to rebut. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

We will try and package, for the moment, two items. The Senator from Massachusetts will now proceed on his amendment. We cannot predict how long it will take because we do not know of the potential for second degrees. That will take place…

What I am trying to get at the moment is the amendments, and then we will try to splice in periods of time for our colleagues to speak to other matters on the bill.

I was grievously concerned when the Senator said we are locked down in a quagmire in Iraq. I have made a number of trips there and completed a trip there several weeks ago with Senator Stevens and Senator John Kerry. Our troops are not in…

I am perfectly willing to, at this point in time, conclude this colloquy. I certainly feel I have had adequate opportunity to make my point. So unless the Senator so desires, we will proceed on with the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The…

There are no objections that I know of, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. There will be 20 minutes divided on each side. Who yields time? The Senator from South Carolina is recognized.

I further request the yeas and nays on the Talent amendment which follows. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas and nays have been ordered on the Talent amendment. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call the roll. The…

I thank the Chair. Under the time I control, I yield such time as my colleague from Alabama may desire to speak. He will speak as in morning business, to reserve the time on the bill, on such aspects of the amendments that he so desires…

I am delighted to do that. We will have a 6-minute extension on each side in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I will simply state to my colleague and fellow member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that it is well recognized that certain intelligence that was used by not only our President but the Prime Minister of Great Britain, the…

if the Senator will entertain a question, we will allocate my time on the question, as I propound it, and to the extent he responds will be on his time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

I again thank all Senators. I thank our staff. I thank the professional staff of the Senate, who in many ways have made possible the completion of this bill. We are owing a debt of gratitude to many to get where we are.

And there remains what period of time? The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 20 minutes 15 seconds.

Regular order. Have the yeas and nays been ordered? The PRESIDING OFFICER. They have not been ordered.

Fine. Let's deal with the known quantities. The Senator from Massachusetts wishes to bring up an amendment which is within the 12 amendments of the Senator from Michigan. That is to be taken up now. We will proceed with that. There may…

Yes, Mr. President. This is a subject I have discussed with the administration and most specifically with the Secretary of Defense. I assure my colleague that it will not establish a pattern because to me the advice and consent process is…

Has the Senator put into the Record the name of the assistant he has worked with in developing this and explained about his background as having been there and participated? Because this is an extremely important segment of our debate that…

I spoke with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld very early this morning on this issue. ____________________

I can only say to my colleague, having been a part of this, we seemed to reach a consensus. Staffs on both sides compiled this UC request, which my understanding is it was cleared, subject to clarification by the Senator from Michigan, and…

I see that the Senator from Kansas says 5 minutes, and the Senator from Massachusetts is indicating some time to help our colleague.

Will the Presiding Officer arrange for a division vote? May we have order in the Chamber. The PRESIDING OFFICER. A division is requested. All those in favor of the amendment, stand and remain standing until counted. The ayes will be seated…

I appreciate the patience of all of our colleagues, wherever they may be. We are continuing to make considerable progress. That progress will hopefully lead to final passage tonight. Consistent with those objectives, I ask unanimous…

The Senator from Michigan and I desire to accommodate colleagues. Again, the hour from 4:30 to 5:30 is on the appropriations bill. The time from whenever the Senate convenes on Monday up until 4:30 is subject to debate on the Iraqi…