The Senator is correct. I would add that it was for the purpose, at a subsequent time if the Senate enables this amendment of the Senator from Virginia and the Senator from Michigan jointly put up, which is our annual authorization bill…

Could the Chair repeat that a little louder, please? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair advises the Senator from Virginia that the transcript will be reviewed, and the Chair, as of this moment, prior to reviewing that, is unaware of the…

that is correct. The third filing consists of amendments only relative to part A in the hopes--if we have another challenge at the time we try to amend it. So now the Senate is faced with a tough call on this vote. I fully appreciate for…

Parliamentary inquiry: Did not the Senator from Virginia on Monday file an amendment in the nature of a managers' amendment with 60 amendments and they have been at the desk since that period of time? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That would be a…

I say to my two very dear and old friends, I tender any apologies, but I have acted strictly in accordance with the rules, exercising the right that any Senator has. I feel it is imperative because we are a nation at war. We have…

No. I have not made one, I say to the Presiding Officer. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is a unanimous consent request before the Senate. The Senator from Alaska is reserving the right to object, and that unanimous consent is asked for. Is…

that is the request of the Senator from Virginia. I thank the Presiding Officer.

If I could make certain I still remain a cosponsor of the McCain amendment that is now the pending amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.

I have to say in fairness that I have checked with the Parliamentarian each step of my procedure yesterday and today. I have checked, and it was the interpretation given to me, as frequently given to Members of this body by the…

We yield for the parliamentary desire. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.

at this point in time, parliamentary inquiry: Does not the standing unanimous consent allow a Senator to file an amendment in the second degree? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendments in the second degree may be filed. They are not subject…

The Chair is correct. The PRESIDING OFFICER. He is not proposing those amendments at this time. Therefore, it does not require unanimous consent to have that done.

A matter of public record. Then yesterday I filed a second amendment with about 18 in the nature of a managers' amendment, and they were in the public record. I say to my good friends, the amendment I filed today, the third one, is nothing…

I have sent modifications to the desk on amendments 1895 for Senator Bingaman, 1996 for Senator Mikulski, and 2017 for Senator Bennett. I didn't know the amendments had already been sent to the desk. I ask unanimous consent these…

I shall divide my time equally with my colleague Senator Levin, ranking member of the committee. Mr. President, the question of germaneness has already been, in a sense, ruled on by the Parliamentarians who said in their judgment it is…

Fine. This third amendment I have filed is simply a consolidation drawing from the first amendment of 80-some amendments, and the second, I think, was 18 to 20. Only those amendments in this third filing are ones relative to part A. All…

If I might just make a parliamentary inquiry of the Chair. Our distinguished colleague from Connecticut has been waiting for a period of time. I wish to respect that, but I ask following his remarks if the Senator from Virginia could be…

that is correct. In the event the Senate concurs in the position of both of us with regard to the forthcoming vote and the Senate agrees as to germaneness, it is my intention to call up my amendment, which is the 2006 armed services bill…

Yes. That is precisely what I asked the Presiding Officer to accept, and I think your ruling is consistent with the request of the Senator from Virginia. We can proceed.

Yes, of course, I recognize that. I was just trying to be informed as to how the rest of us can plan our schedules. The Senator from Connecticut might well desire what period of time?

Would that be as requested by the Senator from Alaska? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

yesterday, in anticipation of the unanimous consent agreement, the Senator from Virginia, joined by the Senator from Michigan, Mr. Levin, the managers and chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, filed an amendment…

Then I do so at this time, and I ask it be assigned a number. Mr. President, I have had the opportunity to consult with the distinguished manager and the ranking member. I have advised him of steps that I would like to take at this time. I…

I now send to the desk a modification to that amendment and ask that it be so modified. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the modification? The amendment is so modified. The amendment (No. 1955), as modified, is as follows: At…

my understanding is that amendment 1955, as modified, is available to be brought up for consideration. I now ask that the amendment be considered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is now pending.