[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IRAQ FUNDING AND STEM CELL LEGISLATION

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I too wish to welcome everyone back.
  It had been my hope that the House of Representatives would have 
appointed conferees on the supplemental appropriations bill for the 
troops before their departure. I think it is extremely important we 
finish that bill and get it down to the President for the veto we 
believe is forthcoming over the language with regard to the troops, the 
language which, in effect, dictates a withdrawal date and also the 
excessive spending that is also a part of that bill. So the sooner we 
can get through this process, the better.
  The Joint Chiefs of Staff sent a letter to me, week before last, 
indicating that if we push this into late April, it creates a lot of 
problems for the troops. So we hope we can get through this process, 
resolve our differences, and get the money for the troops at the 
earliest possible time.
  As the majority leader has indicated, we will be going forward with 
the stem cell issue. There is an alternative proposal by Senator 
Coleman and Senator Isakson that we think solves some of the ethical 
concerns and which will be considered by the Senate. Both will be 
subjected to the 60-vote threshold, and it is my hope the Coleman-
Isakson bill, which could be signed by the President and will actually 
make a difference, will make it through the legislative process and 
down to the President for his signature.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, before I go to my formal remarks I have 
prepared, as I indicated, I have had extensive conversations during the 
past week with Chairman Obey, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, 
and I think we have made progress as to where we need to go in order to 
do this as soon as possible. There is some controversy over the time 
limit. We know the President has indicated he needs the money right 
away, but even last year, when the Republicans were in charge, we 
finished the supplemental bill in June and there were no complaints at 
that time.
  We have had a statement from the Congressional Research Service that 
the money will last until sometime in July. Even the Pentagon itself 
has indicated the money will last until around the first part of June. 
So we are going to do the very best we can to complete this as quickly 
as possible. We know it is important, and we will move forward as 
expeditiously as possible.
  During this week, since the House is not here, I intend to continue 
my dialog with Chairman Obey. I have not spoken to the Speaker today, 
but I have a meeting with her later, at 5 o'clock, and so we will move 
forward, and I appreciate the remarks of the Republican leader.

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