Mr. Speaker, the United States of America is a nation of laws, where the government derives its limited powers from ``We the People,'' the consenting governed. Since 1789, the Constitution has served as our country's legal foundation. Its…

Mr. President, I appreciate the comments of the Senator from Ohio. I believe, if I have the facts correct, that it was the majority leader who pushed for the patch into the CR. I am not quite sure I agree with some of the specifics that…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 654, S. 2763, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, with a committee- reported substitute amendment. I further ask…

Mr. President, let me direct a question through the Chair to the Senator from Indiana. I don't believe the Senator was in at the time that the Senator from Oregon offered his motion. Would the Senator have objected to that motion--Senator…

Mr. President, earlier the distinguished Senator from Oregon said he recognizes that I am new to the Senate and there may be something different between what we would call a blanket position in the North Carolina House and a blanket…

In a moment, I will be making another unanimous consent request. I will give a classic example of the kinds of things I wish we could get done before we leave here. The unanimous consent request I am about to make would encourage…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of a Senate resolution at the desk designating December 17, 2016, as ``Wreaths Across America Day,'' submitted earlier today. I ask unanimous…

Mr. President, I just want to be clear that my friend from West Virginia, whom I actually consider to be one of my favorites, to be honest with you, since I have been here--I have loved serving with him on committees, and I serve with him…

Mr. President, I would like to direct another question through the Chair to the Senator from West Virginia. I just want to be clear that, hypothetically, if the Senator from Oregon were to come back to the Chamber and offer that motion…

Mr. President, the distinguished Senator from Ohio did mention a couple of resolutions, but I would add there was also the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act that we worked very hard on to provide much needed resources for a…

Mr. President, I am happy to yield the floor to the Senator from West Virginia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina yields the floor to the Senator from West Virginia.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar Nos. 742 through 765 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions…

Mr. President, I appreciate that, but the reason I directed the question about the objection to the motion of the Senator from Oregon is that there seems to be maybe selective application of a strategy that the Senator from West Virginia…

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 3516) to authorize…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, December 8; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of…

Mr. President, if I may move on. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 695, S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. I further ask that the committee-reported…

Objection? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The Senator from North Carolina.