[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to make a couple of comments 
about the progress of the legislation.
  As it just happened, the majority leader has filed cloture on the 
bill, which means that if 30 hours are consumed, then we would be here 
on Friday. I certainly hope that is not the case. We are negotiating 
several contentious issues which, if those negotiations are successful, 
I would anticipate a number of votes tomorrow morning. If we are unable 
to, then it is going to stretch out into the afternoon or even to the 
next day for final passage.
  I thank every Member who has been engaged in this process. Literally 
every Member has had an amendment or some involvement in this issue, 
and I think that is the healthiest thing about consideration of this 
bill, which, obviously I say with some bias, is the most important 
legislation that we take up, given that its responsibilities are to the 
men and women who are serving in our military in harm's way in a very 
dangerous world.
  I thank my colleagues for their cooperation, and hopefully we can 
reach some agreements tonight and tomorrow to expedite the process and 
get final passage.
  I note the presence of the Senator from Rhode Island, and I wonder if 
he has any comments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the Senator from Rhode 
Island.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I second Senator McCain's comments about the 
cooperation and collaboration. We hope that tomorrow we can move 
forward on several amendments, and I want to join him in commending and 
thanking our colleagues for their help.
  Thank you.
  Mr. President, I believe we have both yielded the floor.

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