Schedule

SCHEDULE

    Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, the Senate will be in a period for morning business until 10:30 a.m., with the time under the control of the two leaders or their designees. Following morning business, the Senate will resume debate on H.R. 2658, the Department of Defense appropriations bill. The chairman and ranking member were able to work through several amendments yesterday and we will continue the amendment process today.

    There are several Senators who want to speak on the bill but the majority leader remains hopeful that we can complete action on this vital appropriations bill during today's session. Rollcall votes will occur throughout the day today.

    The Senate will recess for the weekly party lunches from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.

    Mr. REID. Will the Senator yield?

    Mr. DeWINE. Yes.

    Mr. REID. Before the distinguished President pro tempore and chairman of the Appropriations Committee leaves the Chamber, I say that we all are aware of and concerned about—as always, impressions are made by things visual—I am very concerned today because the distinguished Senator from Alaska is wearing his Hulk tie. That is usually a sign of a very difficult day in the Senate. I hope that is not the case.

    A couple of years ago we had an appropriations process with a most difficult end to an appropriations bill but we did finish it. One of the nicest gifts that was ever given to me—I will not say it was ugly but it was quite a tie—was given to me by the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Stevens, as a result of the good work I had done. I have worn that tie a couple of times, although not for very long.

    I do hope things go well on the bill today. I know it is a difficult bill, that he and Senator Inouye have tried to work through it, but I think he may be a little too optimistic that we are going to finish it today. When he wears the Hulk tie, we never know what is going to happen.

    Mr. DeWINE. I say to my colleague that when I see that tie, I think it is simply a good indication that the Senate will get a lot of work done. That is usually an indication that my colleague from Alaska is resolved to see the job through.

    Mr. REID. A lot of work done or else.

    Mr. DeWINE. Or else, yes, that is absolutely true.