[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, first, for the information of all Senators 
and others who are following the status of the conference between the 
Senate and the House on the annual authorization bill for the 
Department of Defense, the negotiations between the Senate and the 
House reached the final stage--and, indeed, concluded for all practical 
purposes--last night.
  We had several meetings throughout the day, under the supervision of 
our able chairman, Mr. Thurmond, with Mr. Spence and Mr. Skelton from 
the House, and Senator Levin and myself.
  I wish to report that at the day's end we were far enough along in 
reaching a final conference agreement that a set of sheets--the 
traditional conference sheets--were signed by all 10 Republicans on the 
committee. I have to await any statement by Senator Levin with respect 
to participation by the Democrats. But I anticipate on behalf of 
Senator Thurmond that Senator Thurmond will soon send to the House a 
final conference proposal, as modified by such agreements as we were 
able to reach in the course of our negotiations yesterday. If the House 
is able to agree to that proposal, we have essentially concluded the 
conference. With 10 signatures on the conference sheets, we have enough 
Senate conferees in support of the conference agreement for the 
Committee to file a conference report.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, do we have a standing order with 
reference to time?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is a morning business limit of 5 
minutes.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I have about four items. I am not sure I 
can finish them in 5 minutes, but if there is no one here I will ask 
for an extension of time.

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