OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004-Continued

Date: Oct. 5, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE REFORM ACT OF 2004-CONTINUED

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I echo the words of my colleague from Connecticut. Senator Mikulski has been so helpful throughout this debate and in the development of this bill. In fact, when the Governmental Affairs Committee was first assigned the responsibility for evaluating the 9/11 Commission recommendations and producing this bill, it was the Senator from Maryland who was the first to call me and to offer to help, to share her knowledge from her years on the Intelligence Committee and on the Appropriations Committee. I really appreciated that gesture.

Since that time, she also participated in one of the Governmental Affairs Committee hearings that we held. Her State lost so many citizens on that awful day, and she has been relentless in her determination to make sure their memory is never forgotten. I very much appreciate all of her contributions.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, is there not a germaneness requirement for the debate at this point?

The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is, but the Senator had asked to speak as in morning business for 15 minutes.

Ms. COLLINS. I will not object.

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Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, shortly, I am hopeful we will be able to clear three amendments offered by the Senator from Alaska-three pending amendments. We have reached compromises due to a lot of hard work and good faith on both parts. We have asked the Senator from Alaska if he is available to come over to the floor now, and I am hopeful we will be able to resolve those three pending amendments this evening. In the meantime, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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AMENDMENT NO. 3866

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding cloture, the Specter amendment No. 3866 be in order.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Maine.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, as the Senator from Nevada is aware, this amendment is not germane to the underlying bill. We are in a postcloture situation. There are objections on both sides of the aisle to proceeding with this amendment.

Regretfully, I inform the Senator I must object.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

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