Floor Statements

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, the managers of the bill are working with Senators Durbin and Landrieu to try to get something resolved there.

We know Senator Warner wants to speak. He should be given whatever time he needs to respond to the Senator from Louisiana. But I would indicate that as soon as we get this resolved, and Senator Warner has a chance to talk, rather than going directly to the Landrieu amendment, I think we should go to Dayton and get that out of the way.

In the meantime, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Virginia be recognized to speak for up to 6 minutes to speak on the Landrieu amendment, which will be offered.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I also announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden), is absent attending a funeral.

Madam President, Senator Biden was necessarily absent on the last vote as a result of attending a funeral. I want the Record to reflect that.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, it seems only yesterday that Senator Johnson and I were sharing stories about our sons, the athletes. They both were back here with their parents in the East while we were in the Congress. They were little boys then. Then they got to where they were in high school, and they were bigger boys, but they were boys. So it is hard to imagine now our two boys are grown up. They are adults.

Barbara and Tim's son, though, is really grown up. This young man is fighting in the deserts, in the sands of Iraq so that we can continue to enjoy our freedoms in America.

I had to call Tim at home this past Sunday to talk about some of the issues we were working on legislatively. I hated to call Tim because I am sure he and Barbara at this stage do not like to get phone calls on Sunday afternoons, during nonworking hours. I am sure Tim and Barbara every night pray for their boy and probably a few times during the day.

All of us should recognize that we, too, can join in a prayer for the Johnson's son Brooks. We need to do that because you see, what is going on in Iraq is more than just numbers. We hear numbers such as 250,000 people over there, and we hear talk about skirmishes that have taken place. I pray that Brooks Johnson will return home safely to his parents, Tim and Barbara.

I received a message yesterday, as we are notified as Senators, when something happens to someone from our States. Yesterday I received a message about a young man from Tonopah, NV. It used to be a big booming town where heavyweight prize fights were held, and at the turn of the last century it was a great mining community. Now it is a relatively-- not relatively, it is a small place.

A man by the name of Frederick Pokorney came there. His parents moved around a lot. He wanted to finish high school. He was a sophomore. He was able to stay with the sheriff. Wade Lieseke took in this young man. It was great for Tonopah High School because he was large--6 foot 7, very athletic; he was a linebacker, a center for the basketball team. He was a great young man, quiet and kept to himself.

To make a long story short, he went into the military. He was in the military for 11 years. He was just made a second lieutenant. He was one of the seven who was taken down in an ambush and killed.

People who serve in the Iraqi conflict are in harm's way--every one of them. My heart goes out to Senator Johnson. Through Tim Johnson, we all recognize the ultimate sacrifice that young men and women are making in Iraq. He represents, in effect, the Congress. He is the only Member I am aware of who has a family member serving in that conflict.

I congratulate Tim and Barbara for raising such a wonderful son. As I said, Brooks sets a great example for other young men and women in this country. I again say I hope that we all celebrate with the Johnsons when he returns home.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Ann Marie White, a legislative fellow in the office of Senator Dodd, be granted the privilege of the floor for the duration of this debate on S. Con. Res. 23.

Mr. President, I have spoken to the majority leader and he has graciously consented to the Senator from California speaking for up to 5 minutes as in morning business prior to our going to the budget resolution. I ask unanimous consent that that be the case.

I announce that the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

I am.

Mr. President, the next amendment in order to be called up is No. 341.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. President, as many of my colleagues know, over the last several years we worked hard to make veterans eligible for the concurrent receipt of retirement pay and disability benefits.

Under current law, most veterans, except those who were disabled as a result of combat, are prevented from receiving the pay and benefits they have rightly earned while serving this Nation. This is something the Armed Services Committee, with Senators Warner and Levin, worked on with me last year, and we got this done. It was a big step forward, but we need to do more.

My amendment adjusts the budget resolution to pay for phased-in concurrent receipt for veterans with service-related disabilities rated at 60 percent or higher. Although it is not full concurrent receipt, this one change would help tens of thousands of veterans.

I hope everyone supports this most worthy amendment.

It is.

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

I announce that the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Jeffords) and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I yield to the Senator from Wisconsin.

Mr. President, the Senator from North Dakota, Mr. Conrad, authorized me to yield to the Senator from Washington, Mrs. Murray, for the next amendment.

I move to reconsider the vote.

On behalf of Senator Conrad, I yield to Senator Dorgan for amendment No. 395.

Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Conrad, I yield to the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Corzine.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is absent.

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

Senator Conrad, with Senator Daschle, worked all weekend in narrowing down the amendments. Senator Conrad is in the present position of giving 20 of the 40 amendments to Senator Nickles within the next few minutes, and at 4 p.m. the other amendments will be submitted to Senator Nickles.

We recognize tomorrow could be a very difficult, long day, starting at 9:30. This agreement we made is in the best interests of everyone, and I am hopeful we can work that out.

Following the statement of the Senator from Maine, Ms. Collins, I ask consent that Senator Kennedy be recognized to speak for up to 30 minutes.

Reserving the right to object.

It is my understanding that the two leaders are scheduled to go to the White House. Is that the reason? I want to make sure everyone understands that the majority leader is going to do what he can to move this bill and the fact that there is this window is not going to happen during the rest of the day; is that right?

How many votes are we going to have this morning before the majority leader is obligated to leave?

On behalf of Senator Conrad, we yield time to the Senator from New York.

Mr. President, the two leaders have agreed the second vote should start at 10:30 and I ask unanimous consent that that be the case.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. President, while the two managers are listening, we do not yet have a unanimous consent agreement that there will be 1 minute for each side prior to a vote. I am going to ask unanimous consent that that be the case.

Also, the two managers want to make sure the Chair enforces the 1- minute rule. The only way that can be enforced is that the Chair, when the minute is up, stops the person from speaking; otherwise, it runs into a minute and a half, 2 minutes, and we waste a great deal of time.

I ask unanimous consent that prior to each vote there be 1 minute on each side, and that be strictly enforced.

Not this vote right now.

That is fine.

I announce that the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Daschle) and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent.

I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. President, the managers of the bill asked that I maintain the floor until they return at approximately 1:15. They ask that there be no amendments offered or debate on amendments.

Senator Byrd is here. And he usually, each spring, gives us a speech on springtime.

Is the Senator ready to speak?

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from West Virginia be allowed to speak as in morning business for up to 7 minutes.

Mr. President, normally when there are speeches given not on the subject matter of the debate, we ask that they be put someplace else in the Record. I think this speech on springtime should stay just where it is. This has been a very difficult morning. It is going to be a much more difficult afternoon and evening. The speech on springtime should appear in the Record for all eternity to show that there are other things we do that have more meaning sometimes than the meaningless votes we take.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senator's wonderful statement about springtime stay where it is. As busy as we are here, sometimes we don't think about it, but because of the Senator from West Virginia, we are forced to--speeches he has given on Mother's Day and Father's Day, and other such speeches that I will long remember. This speech on springtime has caused me to focus on springtime that I would not have done otherwise.

Mr. President, we are going to be in a quorum call unless someone has a speech on a subject not related to the budget that they care to give. Senator Nickles and Senator Conrad asked that basically we be in a shutdown on the budget until they return, which should be in a matter of a few minutes. They wanted to come back around 1:15.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Will my friend yield?

Mr. President, I think the two managers of this bill have been fair in doing their best to list these amendments and have an orderly process to dispose of them. Not in this tranche, but maybe the next, I hope the two managers will consider having part of a unanimous consent agreement that--everyone has been here on time--if someone is not here to offer their amendment, I am not sure we should hang around and wait for them.

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. President, as a cosponsor of the Bond amendment, I recommend that we accept it.

Mr. President, the two managers are going to work to come up with another list of amendments that we will work on. The chairman and ranking member said it will take about another 15 minutes for them to come up with another list. During the time they are gone, if somebody has some issue they want to talk about, Senator Nickles and Senator Conrad said they would have no objection to that--they can talk about anything they want.

Will the Senator yield?

Mr. President, the two managers of this bill have worked very hard. Recognizing how hard they have

worked, the staff has worked even harder. I have relayed to the majority leader that in addition to the fact that it is Friday, and we have all had a hard week, we have to keep in proper perspective, whether people want to acknowledge it or not, that we have had a number of Senators who have recently had surgery and have been ill. Not a single one of those Senators has come to me asking that we cut them some slack. But we know that we should do that. Some of them came back to work earlier than they should have. They have violated doctors' instructions to be here.

Senator Byrd has talked to us. We recognize that his wife is very ill. Senator Byrd is doing everything he can to keep a watchful eye on his wife.

I hope we have proven during this week--we, the minority--that we are not trying to do anything to slow up this important piece of legislation. I have trouble understanding what is the magic of finishing this bill today. If there is magic there, it would take magic to complete it because we cannot complete the bill today. It would be my recommendation that we work for a reasonable time this evening. If the leader wants to come back tomorrow, come back sometime at a reasonable time tomorrow, do that. But I have to say we would be better served by completing our work early this evening and coming back next week and finishing this bill. It would give us all time to work to winnow down this list of amendments. I will bet if we had the weekend to do it, we could work it out so there would not be a lot of amendments. Our being pushed into saying you have to finish this bill today or tomorrow is not logical.

I know there is pressure from a lot of places to finish the bill, but it is not the Democrats preventing the legislation from passing. We are doing everything we can to cooperate. I know there are people here who have had far more experience than I. This, to me, would be logical and sensible.

Senator Byrd asked me today how long we are going. I would like him to express to the Senate how he feels about this.

I object.

Mr. President, I announce we now have a Democratic caucus in the LBJ Room. If all Democratic Senators can move over there, it would be greatly appreciated.

Mr. President, my concern is this: First, understand, I was the first Democrat to break ranks with the majority at that time to support the first President Bush. I voted this time to support President Bush. I have said good things about the President. I have done my very best to work this budget resolution through.

But I would say to my friend and anyone who is listening--the majority leader has left--it appears to me--and I want the Senator from North Dakota to listen to this--it appears to me that maybe there is a rush to go through the budget because maybe people are going to start asking questions about how much this war is costing. There is not a single penny in this budget that deals with the war, not a penny. Do you think that might be one reason for rushing through this budget? Don't you think we should know the cost of the war?

I will bet right now they have prepared, at the White House, a supplemental emergency appropriations bill for tens of billions of dollars. I have heard it is $100 billion. Yet we are marching through with the tax cuts to satisfy the wealthy of this country. That is what this budget thing is all about. That is why we are going to work Fridays and Saturdays. I am happy to work Friday and Saturday. I will put my credentials up against anyone as far as moving legislation, including this budget bill. But I ask a question to the ranking member of the Budget Committee: Is there one dollar in this budget that reflects the cost of the war that is going on as we speak?

Before I came here, I watched on television an aircraft carrier. Planes were being catapulted off it, then dropping bombs. Do we know how much that costs? Do we know how much the reconstruction of Iraq is going to cost? Is there a penny in this budget that reflects that?

Will the Senator yield for a question?

Is the Senator telling me and anyone within the sound of my voice that in this huge budget that is now before the Senate, that has tax cuts over $1 trillion over the next 10 years, for the war in Iraq that is now going on there is not a penny of money for the war in this budget?

Could I ask the ranking member of the committee another question? The Senator has stated on at least two occasions this morning that there is not 5 cents in this budget to support the troops for the war that is going on in Iraq. Now we have heard statements for months about we are there to free the Iraqi people, and that we are going to supply food and medicine and everything else necessary to take care of the reconstruction of the country of Iraq. The Senator has heard those questions, has he not?

Would it not seem to the Senator, as it does to me, that in preparation for reconstructing Iraq there must be some budget numbers floating around down at the White House someplace? Would you think that is a fair statement?

Is there one penny in this budget dealing with the reconstruction of Iraq?

Will the Senator yield.

The Senator from Nevada has the largest military airplane fighter training facility for the Air Force in the world, Nellis Air Force Base, with 10,000 people stationed there. I have been there. I have talked to the commanding general of this large force. Hundreds and hundreds of people have left Nellis for the Middle East. People have trained there. They have families in Nevada. Their kids go to school in Nevada. Fallon, 400 miles away, is a very large naval air training center, Fallon Naval Air Station. And there it is the same thing--Top Gun is there. Hundreds and hundreds of people from Fallon are now in the Middle East. That aircraft carrier I watched before I came in here--I can almost guarantee you those people taking off in those airplanes were trained at Fallon. They also have children going to school in Churchill County. They also have wives and husbands who are there waiting for their return.

In addition to that, we have a very large ammunition depot at Hawthorne and it has gotten real busy because they are bringing ammunition out of

there, hauling it to the Middle East. In addition to that, we have large Guard and Reserve components. We have over 1,000 Guard and Reserve people who have been called up and are gone. Their families are gone. Some of them don't know how they are going to make the rental payments, their house payments. What I hear from the Senator from North Dakota is that maybe the Senator from Nevada sometime during the day should give a speech talking about the people in Nevada who have sacrificed to protect my freedom, my family's freedom. Is that what the Senator is saying?

Yes.

I say to my friend, he has been told not to offer the amendment.

There was no one from the majority on the floor when the Senator offered his amendment.

Mr. President, having been delegated authority by Senator Conrad, I yield 20 minutes off the amendment to the Senator from North Dakota, Mr. Dorgan.

By the authority of the ranking member, Senator Lautenberg is to be recognized for up to 20 minutes, time off the resolution. Senator Nickles does not want the amendment offered. It takes unanimous consent to just speak about the amendment.

That would be fine, but I would like the Senator from New Jersey, who has waited some time to be recognized--Senator Enzi, the Senator is going to be recognized for 5 more minutes, followed by Senator Lautenberg to be recognized for up to 20 minutes.

Will the Senator from North Dakota yield me 5 minutes to have a colloquy with the Senator from Arizona?

Mr. President, I listened to the speech of the Senator from Arkansas, talking about the men and women in the armed services. What I want to focus on for a minute is my son. One of my boys married a beautiful young woman and they have two of my grandchildren. I have gotten to know her sister Megan. Megan is a brilliant young woman, graduated Jefferson High School, which is a school for the academically talented, has more merit scholars than any high school in America. She is a graduate of MIT, another great scientific institution. This young woman is now in the gulf, an officer on a destroyer. She is trained to be the person who gives the direction to fire missiles.

Things have changed since the Vietnam war, the Korean conflict, the Second World War. Women are now heavily engaged in actions that are military in nature. When we speak of the men and women of the armed services, I can't help but focus on Megan. She is married. Her husband is getting ready to go to medical school. He is here. His wife is in harm's way in the Middle East. My conscience has been quirked by the very fine statement of the Senator from Arkansas when she referred on more than one occasion to the men and women of the armed services because the men and women of our armed services are the Megans of the world. They are standing side by side of the men doing anything that a man can do. I congratulate the Senator for the amendment she will offer and her contribution to the Senate, not only with this amendment but what she does every day.

Will the Senator yield?

Mr. President, I want to speak while there is not a lot of activity on the Senate floor because it will become hectic. There are a few hours remaining on this resolution, and then we have the Iraq resolution, which will be forthcoming soon.

I speak for the entire Democratic caucus about our ranking member on the Budget Committee. He is a very modest man. He and I came to the Senate together. His parents were killed in an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver. He was raised by his grandparents. His parents and his grandparents must be smiling broadly now to see the contribution he has made to our country. The biggest contribution he has made is allowing the Democratic Senators with whom he has served to better understand the fiscal situation of this country at any given time.

The Senator from North Dakota is recognized as the person in the Senate who knows the numbers. He believes very strongly that deficit spending is bad, that the debt that was in existence when he came to the Senate had to be downsized, and working with the prior administration, that was accomplished. In fact, the debt was being paid down. These past months, he has also articulated so well how it is not good for the country to again have these huge deficits.

So I again say on behalf of the entire Democratic caucus how much we all appreciate the work, the guidance, and the direction the Senator from North Dakota has given us. As a result of the education I have received from him about the financial matters of this country, I better understand what is going on in the economy of this country. I extend my appreciation to the Senator for that education.

One of the areas I was totally naive about was the agricultural problems of this country. There are a number of Senators who come from agricultural States. I have learned to listen to and admire the direction I have received from other Senators on both sides of the aisle regarding agriculture, but no one has done more to educate me on issues relating to the American farmer than the Senator from North Dakota.

I have received rewards in recent years for voting with American farmers. In Nevada, we do not have a lot of agriculture. We produce quite a bit of alfalfa just simply because the growing season is so long. We grow a lot of onions. We are the largest producer of white onions in the United States, but basically our agricultural output is very small.

So for me to be part of the army to move forward to protect the family farm is something that I have learned from the Senator from North Dakota.

For these and many others reasons, while there is a little bit of down time, I want to let the Senator know how much I appreciate his friendship and his leadership on the issues of fiscal constraint, the general economy of this Nation and the world, agriculture, and so many other things on which his great mind has been able to assist me in being able to be a better Senator.

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

I ask unanimous consent with respect to amendment No. 294, that the names be reversed and Senator Graham of Florida appear first as the one proposing the amendment with Senator Dorgan.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today in the Senate--it does not happen very often--we speak with one voice. Now that the military effort to disarm Saddam Hussein and remove his brutal regime from power has started, it is important that we, the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, express our unified support for our troops.

I personally am very proud of the Nevada sons and daughters who have been deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nevada has, I believe, the finest military aviation training facilities in the world. That is not something that is just provincial in nature. We have the great Nellis Air Force Base and the Fallon Naval Air Station, plus we have the Indian Springs Air Force Base where the drones are kept, where people train with those unmanned vehicles.

Nellis Air Force Base has a special place in my heart because Bill Nellis was from my hometown of Searchlight, NV, a very small town in size and the number of people who live there. Bill Nellis served in World War II and became a hero. His body now lies in a military cemetery in Belgium, but all of us in Nevada know where Nellis Air Force Base got its name. His family is still there and very proud of the fact that this great training facility for the Air Force is named after Bill Nellis of Searchlight.

The Fallon Naval Air Station is also where we train aviators. These two bases--to show the size of the State of Nevada--are 400 miles apart. One is the premier training facility for our Air Force, and the other, Fallon naval air training facility, is a premier training facility for our naval pilots--Top Gun. It is a rural community 65 miles out of Reno, NV.

These pilots--hundreds from Nellis and other personnel critical to our mission in Iraq--are right now serving on the front lines. Hundreds who trained at Fallon are there also.

When I see those Navy fighters taking off on carriers in the gulf, as I did this morning before I came to work, there is no question in my mind that they were trained at Fallon.

Nevada's Guard and Reserve troops are also playing a significant role, more than 1,000 from Nevada's Guard and Reserve. Nevada's percentage of Guard and Reserve callups and deployments is one of the highest in the Nation. This is, of course, a hardship to the communities, the cities, and the towns from where they come. It is a hardship on the employers and families they leave behind.

I also recognize the honor that is associated with this hardship and this sacrifice. Our Guard units, for example, have a specially train unit to handle prisoners of war. They have been called up. They also have one of the only Blackhawk-equipped medical evacuation teams. It is understandable why they have been called up. There are many other specialities that are needed in the gulf, and Secretary Rumsfeld has called them up. They are heroes. They are talented.

There are other heroes in Nevada, and they are the families who remain behind. Children who are going to school in Nevada have mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters half a world away and hoping and praying they come home but not really knowing if that, in fact, will happen.

The sacrifice that many of these families are making so our forces will prevail cannot be overstated. In many cases, the lead income earner or main caretaker is in the desert right now either pursuing Saddam Hussein or maybe even trying to track down al-Qaida operatives.

I try but I am not sure I fully understand the hardship the families are enduring. This Congress and communities all over America stand with the families and will help in any way we can until their loved ones return. We pray for the safe and speedy return of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines.

We understand as a Congress that war entails risk; that the American military is the best fighting force ever assembled.

I have to take a pause here and commend and applaud the chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee who have worked together as partners for many years now developing the military that is now serving in the Middle East. They are two fine Senators. There are no two men in the Senate for whom I have more respect than the distinguished Senator from Virginia and my longtime friend, the Senator from Michigan. I had the pleasure and honor of coming to Congress with his brother. I have said this to Senator Levin on a number of occasions. The first time I ever met Carl Levin, I said: I came to Washington with your brother, Sandy.

He said: Yes, Sandy is my brother, but he is also my best friend.

This is the kind of man we have working with us in the minority. I again commend and applaud the two of them.

I thank my friend from Virginia. As I said, we in Congress understand the risks that war entails. The American military, as I have said before--parting a little off the subject by complimenting my two friends--is the best fighting force ever assembled. We owe a lot of that to these two men. I am confident that the men and women of our armed services, with the help of British and Australian soldiers, will bring about a decisive victory. Let us hope this can be achieved swiftly and with minimal casualties.

Mr. President, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Congress fully funds and supports the needs of our troops as this conflict proceeds.

As American troops are engaged in war in Iraq, as well as elsewhere around the world, in our ongoing war against terrorists, and defending our interests and allies, we think also of previous generations who served our Nation faithfully and proudly to protect American lives, liberties and values. To all of our veterans, in Nevada and around the country, I say, ``Thank you for your service.'' And I reassure you that I will continue to make sure our Nation honors our commitment to you.

We are so fortunate to live in a Nation that promises fundamental freedom like the freedom of speech and freedom of belief. Those who have served in the United States Armed Forces in past years and those who serve today have fought to guarantee the rights we hold dear. Thanks to their service and sacrifice, Americans can express opinions even if they disagree with the Government without fear of being harassed, arrested, tortured or murdered. This is a fundamental difference that separates our American democracy from regimes like the Taliban which we ousted from Afghanistan or dictators like Saddam Hussein whom we will remove from Iraq.

So we all appreciate, value and will fight to defend the right of all of us--American citizens and those of us in public service--to speak freely. Regardless of whether Americans agree or disagree with the decision to go to war or how the administration has conducted its foreign policy, we share patriotic feelings. That is what patriotism is about. And I want our troops to know that we all support them completely.

Americans also stand united with our Commander-in-Chief, President George Bush, as he leads the Nation through this difficult period. I will continue to support his efforts to build and strengthen our coalition to assist with post-war reconstruction in Iraq.

But today let me re-emphasize that we stand united, and we speak with one voice, in supporting our troops and working for the swift and decisive defeat of Saddam Hussein. I am confident more peaceful times lie ahead. Certainly, peace and freedom lie on the horizon for the Iraqi people.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necesarily absent due to a family medical matter.

I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) would vote ``aye''.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) is necessarily absent due to a family medical matter.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller), is necessarily absent, due to a family medical matter.

I announce that the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller)) is necessarily absent due to a family medical matter.

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Ben Nelson be added as a cosponsor.

Mr. President, being authorized by the ranking member of the committee, I will speak on the amendment that is almost pending, we thought it was pending, whatever.

The Bond amendment.

This is a really fantastic proposal of the Senator from Missouri. It is sponsored by the chairman of the committee, Senator Inhofe; the ranking member, Senator Jeffords; the chairman of the subcommittee on transportation, Senator Bond; the ranking member of the subcommittee, the Senator from Nevada; the chairman of the full Banking Committee which handles transit matters, Senator Shelby; the ranking member of the Banking Committee, Senator Sarbanes; and many others.

I thank my friend from Missouri, Senator Bond, for his work on this amendment. He has shown great leadership. I am pleased to join him in sponsoring this bipartisan highway and transit amendment.

This amendment represents an important step in the reauthorization of the country's surface transportation system. We made significant gains over the life of TEA-21, and we must keep this momentum as we move forward. Despite these gains in TEA-21, there is much that remains to be done.

This budget debate is about choices, and I understand that. I also understand that we need to prioritize given these perilous times. I firmly believe that a well-maintained transportation infrastructure is a foundation for a healthy, vibrant national economy.

Our Nation's surface transportation system is critical to the free flow of citizens and the free flow of commerce.

This amendment adds an additional $50 billion for highways and $10 billion for transit over the next 6 years. The Federal Highway Administration's 2002 Conditions and Performance Report estimates that the annual Federal investment in roads must increase by 17 percent per year simply to maintain the Nation's existing highway and bridge system.

I will not take a lot of time, but the Senator from Louisiana, who is on the floor, has brought to my office on two separate occasions people from Louisiana who have desperate needs for transportation improvement. It is critical that we get more money for programs that can meet the demands of the folks from Louisiana and the folks from Nevada. It can only be done if this amendment is adopted. I hope it does.

Improving the system will cost more than the report of the estimates of Federal investment of roads needing to be increased by 17 percent. This administration calculates current Federal investment must increase by as much as 65 percent to basically improve our Federal infrastructure as it relates to highway.

As the Senator from Missouri has indicated with his charts, safety is still a serious problem. When 45,000 people a year are being killed on the roads, I think that says it all. In addition to the people who are killed, we have people who are paraplegic, quadriplegic, people who are hurt in many different ways in automobile accidents that are caused because of unsafe highways.

According to the Department of Transportation, our Nation's fatality rate per million vehicle miles traveled has decreased, but the number of fatalities has increased, with the disproportionate share of these occurring on rural roads. We really do not give any attention to speak of to rural roads.

In addition to the personal tragedy associated with traffic accidents, accidents cost an estimated $137 billion per year in property losses, losses in productivity, and medical costs.

System maintenance costs do not include the cost to improve the system's access and mobility to allow for the efficient and timely flow of citizens and commerce throughout the country.

America's congestion problems continue to get worse. The Texas Transportation Institute estimates this year residents in the top 75 metropolitan areas will lose more than 3.6 billion hours due to traffic congestion and $67 billion in wasted time and fuel.

The problems in Washington, DC, are legendary, but as a result of the man with the tractor in the reflecting pool, it took one of my friends traveling from over the bridge in Virginia 2\1/2\ hours to get to work because of the added congestion because of the tractor in the reflecting pool. Traffic in Washington, DC, and the rest of the country is in deep trouble.

The Governor of the State of Nevada, a friend of mine by the name of Kenny Guinn, has written a letter dated yesterday. He is a Republican Governor. He supports this amendment. It is important because the population of the State of Nevada has increased during the past 10 years by 64 percent, and this problem is going to continue to grow.

We in Nevada are not depending on the Federal Government alone to satisfy the needs of highways. In fact, the State of Nevada spends more by some $40 million than the Federal Government. This is very rare. The Governor of the State of Nevada fully endorses this amendment.

I ask unanimous consent that the letter dated March 19 from Gov. Kenny Guinn, be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I indicated that the chairman of the Banking Committee, Senator Shelby, and the ranking member, Senator Sarbanes, have also approved this legislation. The reason they do so is because they are responsible for the transit aspect of the highway bill.

In years past, we divided the money we get on highways; 20 percent of it basically goes to transit. Why? For every person who is riding on a train, that is that much less traffic congestion and burden on our highways. It has worked well for decades. We need to continue that.

This amendment recognizes additional highway capacity alone will not solve the problems of congestion; therefore, we should provide Americans with other transportation options such as transit. It is part of important congestion relief. It is also a lifeline for millions of Americans to health care, to jobs, and to schools.

Nevada is an example. Ten years ago, for us to talk about needing transit money would have been unheard of. But now we are badly in need of it. We are building the only commercial monorail that will go from the airport up and down the strip which will save millions of hours in travel time and make it a much easier trip from the airport to the many vacation spots along the Las Vegas strip and downtown.

We have duty to every American to invest in a balanced transportation system. That is what this amendment is about. I ask for the support of the Senate. This is a bipartisan measure,

and I hope it has a strong bipartisan vote tomorrow. I appreciate very much the Senator from North Dakota yielding me the time.

Mr. President, through the Chair to the leader, on the ANWR amendment, we have 40 minutes remaining on this side. The time on the other side is gone. Of course, other time can be yielded, as it will be, to speak on the amendment.

We have a couple of amendments lined up. I spoke to Senator Nickles last night. The majority leader was present during most of those conversations. We hope to offer another amendment forthwith.

The one question that a number of Members have asked is what is the leader's--I think we all contemplate something happening in the next 24 hours in regard to the situation in Iraq. What is the leader's desire as to a resolution, which I am sure will be forthcoming at that time, as far as Members being able to speak on the resolution?

Senator Conrad authorized Senator Boxer to control the final 40 minutes of debate. Do we not have 40 minutes on the amendment?

Senator Conrad has authorized me to delegate that 41 minutes to Senator Boxer for allowing other Senators to speak during that 41 minutes.

Mr. President, I ask that the Senator from North Dakota yield such time as I may consume.

Mr. President, we are doing our best, in accordance with the direction we have gotten from the majority leader, to move this bill along. We are trying. I spoke to the manager of the bill this morning, and we are trying to do that. We want to offer other amendments. We have a couple of minutes left to speak on ANWR. We want to offer other amendments. We were ready to vote on ANWR last night, or this morning, or early this afternoon--anytime. We need to move this legislation along, and we are doing the very best we can, but we have amendments we have to offer.

I hope we have the opportunity to do that. The time is quickly dwindling, and we are doing our best not to have many votes on the vote-athon; but with each day that goes by, it appears there will have to be more because people are not having the opportunity to offer amendments.

On behalf of Senator Conrad, I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Lautenberg.

Will the Senator from New Mexico yield just for a question?

The Senator from Nevada.

Last night the Senator from New Mexico said he wanted to speak for approximately an hour? How long, just so we can get people ready here.

Thank you very much.

Reserving the right to object, Mr. President.

Mr. President, just so everyone within the sound of my voice understands, we tried to have the vote earlier than 3 o'clock. The Vice President is going to be here for one reason, and I think that is a powerful reason we are going to have the vote at 3 o'clock. I have no objection to the vote at 3 o'clock.

Mr. President, if I may, while the manager of the bill is on the floor, I hope this sense of the Senate--I am happy it is their turn to offer an amendment, and we have no control over what they offer. But I hope, Mr. President, that we will not spend a lot of time on this sense-of-the-Senate amendment and that we can get to another amendment before 3 o'clock. I hope the manager will work with us so we can have Senator Graham debate this amendment as long as he thinks appropriate. We will respond, if necessary. I think this will pass overwhelmingly, with the little knowledge I have of it, and I hope we can get to other amendments.

I say to my friend, we are ready to move forward on a homeland security amendment. We are ready, as we speak, to move forward on an education amendment. We hope we can get to those amendments before too long, recognizing that my friend, the manager of the bill, wants a vote on the best kept secret around here, the $350 million amendment which we will vote on sometime.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment.

Will the Senator yield for a question?

I would like to get this amendment accepted.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I have been authorized by the manager of the bill to yield 20 minutes to the Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), are necessarily absent. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote no.

Will the Senator from North Dakota yield for a question?

I have been sitting here listening to this debate. Under the proposal offered by the distinguished Senator from Arizona, it is my understanding that Warren Buffet, who is worth $38 billion, I was told----

Worth $38 billion.

If he passed away, under this amendment offered by my friend from Arizona, he would pay no estate taxes.

What would happen to his accumulated wealth?

Will the Senator from North Dakota yield for another question?

I wanted to confirm that the Senator from North Dakota has listened to Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Sr., and George Soros. I have heard those three people state that they think it is ridiculous, senseless to have them pay no estate tax. Have you heard these three very wealthy men say this?

Will the Senator yield for a question?

In my previous question to the Senator from North Dakota, I talked about three very successful men, all of whom are senior citizens. I want to relate to the Senator from North Dakota that about 2 months ago I had dinner in Las Vegas with a man I had never met before. His name is Pierre Omidyar. Pierre is the founder of eBay. As a young man, he had this idea and on his computer developed eBay which is now a fantastically significant part of our economy. It is his. He, in spite of the stock market dropping, is worth $3 or $4 billion. He is 34 years old.

The whole purpose of his dinner with me, just the two of us, was to explain to me how he hoped I would work as hard as I could to make sure the estate tax is not repealed. Here is a man who is happily married, has two little children, and is one of the wealthiest men in America. He is not an old man; he is a very young man. And he believes, as does the Senator from North Dakota, that acquired wealth in large amounts is not good for America.

I don't think I have given this story to the Senator from North Dakota, have I?

But if we have these very successful people talking about why they believe it is bad--I have been present when Mr. Gates, Mr. Buffett, and Mr. Soros all talked about their belief that by a roll of the dice, a roulette wheel, they were born in America. They said they could have their entrepreneur genius--those are words I am using, not theirs--and if they were born anyplace but in the United States, it wouldn't amount to much. They believe as a result of their having been born in America, they owe that to America.

The Senator has heard those statements, has he not?

Would the Senator agree that those three older men and the young man have a concept of what the Senator from North Dakota is saying: Change the estate tax, raise it if it is appropriate. I believe it is appropriate. Would the Senator agree that we have tried to do that? We have asked unanimous consent. We have offered amendments that have been defeated. I want the Senator from North Dakota to see if he agrees with me. I think people want the political issue more than they want to change the estate tax. Would the Senator agree with that?

Will the Senator yield for a question?

Would the Senator, the manager of the bill for the majority, on the next amendment which will be offered, which will be prescription drugs, allow a time of 40 minutes on each side?

I withdraw the request.

Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Conrad, I yield one- half hour to the Senator from Michigan, Ms. Stabenow.

Mr. President, I ask, through the Chair, the Senator from Maine, it is my understanding she has permission from the manager of the bill to have the pending amendment set aside to offer this amendment.

I should think that is what should be done now. Does the Democratic manager agree with that?

Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Conrad, I yield to the distinguished Senator from Maryland 20 minutes.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask unanimous consent that the time be charged equally.

Mr. President, I ask if the Senator will modify his unanimous consent request that there be 10 minutes between the second and third votes.

Mr. President, in response to the earlier statements of my dear friend, the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma, we have worked hard the last few days trying to work our way through this very difficult legislation. It is always this way. It is very difficult. The reason we do it this way is it is statutory. We are doing our best.

We stand on the brink of a war. The two leaders have met today to talk about the fact that when this does start, there will be a pause of some time to be determined by the leaders so that Members can speak about what is going on in Iraq. I think I speak for the entire Senate in this regard, as we leave the Senate tonight, our thoughts and our prayers are with the Commander in Chief of the United States military, George Bush, and also with the hundreds of thousands of American troops who are standing ready to go do what is appropriate at this time.

We recognize there are some who feel this is not the right time, but as Americans we always rally around our troops. This time is going to be no different. The minute the first shot is fired, with rare exception, all Americans will be recognizing what we feel here tonight is that there is a strong sense of urgency to making sure that we do the business of this Nation in the Senate and work to complete whatever business is necessary to make sure those people who are fighting for us--lives are going to be lost--have everything they need and more.

As we retire tonight, I think I speak for the entire Senate when I say our thoughts and prayers are with those who have to make this momentous decision, especially the President.