I ask unanimous consent the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on this measure. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate? If not, the question is on agreeing to the measure. The bill (S. 252), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, and Navy; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider…

I ask unanimous consent the Alexander amendment at the desk be agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 1981) was agreed to, as follows: (Purpose: To modify provisions relating to the…

Mr. President, in relation to that, I have a motion to commit H.J. Res. 59 with instructions, which are at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from…

Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered…

On the amendment just reported, I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 1975 to Amendment No. 1974

Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 1974. (The…

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the motion to proceed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate? If there is no further debate, the question is on adoption of the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 13, S. 252. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill…

On that, I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 1978 to Amendment No. 1977

Mr. President, I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment…

Mr. President, on that I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 1977

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum required under rule XXII be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Madam President, we now start 30 hours. I would hope we can yield back the vast majority of that time. I have no problem with Senators being allowed to speak under what the rules are postcloture. But I would hope we can expedite this. We…

Madam President, I would ask if it is in order for me to ask unanimous consent to yield back the remainder of our time and start the vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. That would take consent.

He can use whatever time he needs from us. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask that following Senator McConnell's remarks, the time until 1 p.m. be equally divided, with the two leaders controlling the time. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER…