Mr. President, I now ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a message from the House with respect to H.R. 2965, which is the don't ask, don't tell legislation. The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the…

Madam President, as a Christian, no one has to remind me of the importance of Christmas for all of the Christian faith, all of their families all across America. I do not think any of us, and I do not need to hear the sanctimonious…

Mr. President, I wish to say a brief word about George Voinovich. I have watched him for many years. He has an outstanding record. He is a Senator from the State of Ohio who came to Washington with as many credentials as anyone could have…

Madam President, in times like these, we cannot afford to play games with the economic security of middle-class families in Nevada, and across America. This bill is not perfect, but it gives those families the boost they so desperately…

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to Calendar No. 7, the START treaty. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on…

OK. So, Mr. President, I am glad we clarified that. But, as I said, anyone can talk about anything they want. So why don't we have the consent request amended that Senator Lugar be recognized for 40 minutes, Senator Kerry for 30 minutes…

So the consent request is that Senator Lugar be recognized for 40 minutes, Senator Kyl for 40 minutes, Senator Kerry for 30 minutes; is that right? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. That is correct.

Mr. President, also, if I could respond to my friend, I know Senator Lugar has spent lots of time on this treaty, as has Senator Kyl, as has Senator Kerry and others. Everyone, we will be very generous with time. If Senator Lugar, who is…

And part of that agreement is that today will be for debate only. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? The Republican leader is recognized. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, and I am certainly…

Mr. President, could we have the attention of everyone in the Senate. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate will come to order. ____________________

Mr. President, if you asked anyone in this body to summarize Arlen Specter, I think the words that would come up most often would be he is a real fighter. Arlen Specter fought to defend our Nation in Korea. He fought crime in the streets…

Mr. President, I have had a number of conversations in the recent minutes with the Republican leader. I think we would be well advised--and we are going to proceed along this avenue unless someone has an objection--that for the rest of the…

And I conferred with Senator McConnell. There will be no rollcall votes the rest of the day. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate will come to order. The Senator from Arkansas is recognized.

Mr. President, following the remarks of Senator McConnell and myself, we will be in a period of morning business until 11 a.m. with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. At 10 o'clock this morning, Senator Bayh will…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Remembering Richard Holbrooke

The Republican leader is on his way and has an important speech to give, so if everyone will just be calm while he delivers his speech. Recognition of the Republican Leader The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader is…

Madam President, following leader remarks, the Senate will begin the final stage of our consideration of the House message with respect to H.R. 4853, which is the tax bill. Postcloture time will expire tonight at 12:30 a.m. The Senate will…

Mr. President, last night I was at home and received a message on my BlackBerry that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke had died. I felt very sad about that. He was such a nice man. He was the epitome in his dealings with me of a gentleman…