the Senator raises a very interesting historical perspective. During World War II, the National Guard was mobilized early on and amalgamated with the regular forces. The Reserves likewise were brought in. So everybody was in World War II…

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.

are we not at this point in time guided by the standing order we just entered? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. The question is on agreeing to the Inhofe amendment, as modified.

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.

I think I still have the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.

I likewise ask to be added as a cosponsor of the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I say to my colleague, I recall that period very well. There were times when the Nation's capital had blackouts. At that time my father was a doctor actively practicing medicine in this city, and he had to take the headlights on his car…

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?

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----

Fifteen minutes between now and 2:45 be reserved for a debate on the Ensign amendment, 15 minutes equally divided. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

I engaged my colleague to set forth my concerns to other Members who are trying to evaluate their positions on this amendment, should it come forward, and I anticipate at the appropriate time the Senator will be introducing it. I question…

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…

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

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?

again, this amendment has just been given to the majority side. We will, in due course, have further response to the Senator. At this time it becomes the pending amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is the pending amendment.

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…

May we now proceed with the vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll.

In studying the amendment over the night--now it is not the pending amendment, but I want to bring these issues to the attention of the Senator, in fairness. The Senator, though, appreciates that so many of these families, particularly…

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?

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

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…

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.

We will schedule this vote at a time in consultation with our respective leaders. There may be some other matters that we have. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri is recognized.

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…