Mr. President, through the Chair, I say to my friend, the distinguished Republican leader, let's hope they are more timely on their 1 o'clock vote than they have been in the last few days. I would say this very directly: We would be happy…

Yes. Mr. McCONNELL. I say to my friend, we would be happy to have that vote tonight. And I will also mention to my friend that the House of Representatives intends to vote on the Reid amendment tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock. In order to…

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Would the Senator withhold?

I ask for the yeas and nays on that motion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 592

If my friend the Republican leader wishes to speak, I, of course, would withhold. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader. Mr. McCONNELL. I thank the majority leader. I wish to commend the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, for his…

Yes, without losing my right to the floor. Mr. McCONNELL. Is it the majority leader's intention, after we have the vote on tabling the proposal that came over from the House, to file cloture on the Reid budget?

Mr. President, it is very obvious there should be a vote on my amendment and it should be with a simple majority. That is the way it has traditionally been in this body until the Republicans have tried to establish a supermajority, which…

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

Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to that legislative matter, and I move to table the motion to concur and ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second…

Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a message from the House with respect to S. 627. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair lays before the Senate a message from the House which, the clerk will report. The legislative clerk…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended until 6:45 p.m. today, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, and that at 6:45 I be recognized. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

I ask unanimous consent the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, without any intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record. The…

Mr. President, I have a unanimous consent request that has been cleared by the Republican leader. I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended until 6 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each during…

Finally, the Republican leader said we don't need to carry this on forever. I agree with my friend. This legislation is of utmost importance. It has great significance, as he said. All the more reason there should not be a filibuster being…

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended until 3:30 this afternoon, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each; further, that at 3:30 p.m. the majority leader be recognized. The ACTING…

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. 593 to Amendment No. 592

Mr. President, as long as it is in morning business, no. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Tennessee is recognized. ____________________