I am not filing the motion at this time, and I appreciate very much the sincerity of my friend from Alabama, as usual, and, of course, my friend from Kentucky. He and I have worked together on a lot of things over the years, and I…

Mr. President, I know we are all eager to return to our States next week to talk to our constituents. We have 1 more week to go. We hope to complete everything this week. I just outlined to the Chair and the Members listening about the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to refer and the cloture motion be withdrawn. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I have a motion to refer with instructions at the desk, and I ask that it be stated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to refer the House message…

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 4576 to amendment No. 4575.

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 4579 to amendment No. 4578. The amendment…

Madam President, I announce to the Senate, as I did earlier today, that in the morning, we hope at 9:30, Senators Leahy and Sessions will be here to move to the Kagan nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

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. 4578

Mr. President, as everyone here knows, we have been working on a small business jobs bill for the past several weeks. Republicans had said they would work with us to pass a bill if they were able to offer three amendments. Unfortunately…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 4579 to Amendment No. 4578

I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 4578 to the instructions of 4577 of…

Madam President, I am sorry we had to go through all this procedural stuff. It would have been easier just to have a consent agreement and we would wind up doing this anyway, but there was an objection to this by my friends on the other…

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of amendments.'')

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 4576 to Amendment No. 4575

I have a cloture motion on the motion to concur at the desk, and I ask that it be stated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. The legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture…

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: At the end of the amendment, insert the following: The provisions of this Act…

Mr. President, following leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 3 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to…