National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE REFORM ACT OF 2004

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to consider sequentially the Feinstein amendment, No. 3718, and the Gregg amendment, No. 3934, both as modified with changes that are at the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?

Without objection, it is so ordered.

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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I congratulate the Senator from California for her amendment. She has worked very closely with Senator Lieberman and me, as well as with the Judiciary Committee and Senator Gregg.

Senator Feinstein's amendment is a good one. It strengthens the bill. It underscores her commitment to making the FBI as effective as possible in the war against terrorism. I thank the Senator for her leadership, and I urge adoption of her amendment.

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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, it is my understanding that the Senator from New Hampshire, Mr. Gregg, is on his way to the floor to speak briefly on his amendment.

While we are awaiting his arrival, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Georgia and the Senator from Nebraska for their contributions to this debate. They have raised an important issue. It is, as they have recognized, a difficult and controversial issue, and I am very grateful to both of them for being willing to raise the issue but not press forward with their amendment at this time. I look forward to continuing to work with both of them. Both of them are leaders in military and intelligence matters, and I very much respect their judgment and their knowledge.

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AMENDMENT NO. 3934, AS MODIFIED

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we now turn to Gregg amendment No. 3934, as modified.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is pending.

The amendment, as modified, is as follows:

AMENDMENT NO. 3934, AS MODIFIED

On page 121, line 13, strike "and analysts" and insert ", analysts, and related personnel".

On page 121, line 17, strike "and analysts" and insert ", analysts, and related personnel".

On page 121, line 19, strike "and analysts" and insert ", analysts, and related personnel".

On page 123, beginning on line 8, strike ", in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, modify the" and insert "establish a".

On page 123, line 11, strike "in order to organize the budget according to" and insert "to reflect".

Ms. COLLINS. I urge adoption of the amendment.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate? If not, without objection, the amendment is agreed to.

The amendment (No. 3934), as modified, was agreed to.

Ms. COLLINS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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Ms. COLLINS. Would the Senator be willing to yield for two quick unanimous consent requests?

Mr. NELSON of Florida. It is the absolute least I can do for the gracious Senator from Maine who recognized the common sense of this amendment. She, along with Senator Lieberman, have made it possible to be accepted.

I certainly yield.

Ms. COLLINS. I thank the Senator for his cooperation and his amendment.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess from 12:30 to 2:15 today to accommodate the weekly party luncheons and that the time in recess be counted against the postcloture period.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Ms. COLLINS. I thank the Senator from Florida.

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Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

AMENDMENTS NOS. 3739 AND 3750, WITHDRAWN

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that amendments Nos. 3739 and 3750 be withdrawn. These are amendments that had been offered by Senator Roberts previously. He has asked that I withdraw them on his behalf.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Ms. COLLINS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

POINTS OF ORDER, EN BLOC

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it now be in order to raise points of order, en bloc against the following amendments in that they are not germane under the provisions of rule XXII. They are the following amendments: 3887, 3888, 3889, 3890, 3891, 3892, 3893, 3894, 3808, 3849, 3782, 3905, 3747, 3881, 3724, 3928, 3873, 3871, 3870, 3803, 3930, 3931, 3874, 3850, 3851, 3855, 3856, 3872, 3926, and 3819.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to raising the points of order?

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Ms. COLLINS. I announce that this will allow us to officially consider the remaining germane amendments. The nongermane amendments, as determined last week, will fall under this order. We will continue to work through the pending amendments that remain at the desk as we move toward completing this bill.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I have no objection. I want to ask Senator Collins, through you, my staff thought the Senator from Maine may have inadvertently read 3908 as 3808. Just to clarify, it is 3908.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I would not be surprised.

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Their ears are much better than mine.

Ms. COLLINS. I ask unanimous consent that the list be corrected to indicate the correct number is 3908.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The Chair sustains the points of order, en bloc. The amendments fall.

Ms. COLLINS. Thank you, Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum.