I call up amendments Nos. 2105, 2106, 2108, and 2120. I send up a modification to amendment No. 2108 on behalf of Senator Voinovich. I ask that they be considered en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendments will be…

we would like to consider this amendment. I ask it be set aside until we see how the operations work with the rest of the amendments. This may be relevant to the others. I ask unanimous consent we set this amendment aside temporarily. The…

the suggestion of my friend from Vermont is a very good one. I think he knows--and he serves on our committee--that trying to fund these very vital programs is a top priority of my ranking member and of mine. We are in a position where we…

I ask the pending amendment to be set aside. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 2162

Under the Ensign-Allen-DeMint amendment, the language requires the IRS to continue the Free File Program, which was created in 2002 as a public/private partnership between the IRS and a group of tax software companies called the Free File…

we thank our colleagues. Mr. President, as far as procedure, there are a number of issues that will be debated. There may be additional amendments offered, but for the convenience of our colleagues, there are not going to be any votes…

I ask that amendment 2091 be withdrawn. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Is there objection to considering the specified amendments en bloc? Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Washington.

my colleague from Michigan has an amendment that is a good amendment. Let me say that my colleague from Washington, Senator Murray, and I are hoping to finish business today. I know there are a number of amendments out there that people…

I have amendments on behalf of myself and the Senator from Washington making technical corrections, having a division A and division B in this bill. I send to the desk two amendments and ask for their consideration en bloc. These are…

Ten minutes for the Senator from Oklahoma, 10 minutes for the Senator from Nebraska, and I will reserve 5 minutes for the Senator from Rhode Island. I will take that time on his behalf if he is not able to make it. So that will make a vote…

They have been cleared on both sides. I ask for their immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendments will be considered en bloc. The question is on agreeing to the amendments. The amendments (Nos. 2175…

Next, I call up amendment No. 2146 with a modification on behalf of Senator Ensign. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Missouri [Mr. Bond], for Mr. Ensign, proposes an…

I continue to be grateful for the cooperation of the Senator from Washington and her staff. I was going to go down the list of the staff members on both sides. I will incorporate by reference and say once again our staff worked very well…

I would inquire if the Senator from North Dakota is prepared to move forward with his amendment? Seeing no other Senators seeking recognition, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The…

are there any others? I believe we have now covered all of the amendments we have agreed to accept. I think it is time to go to third reading, and I ask for the yeas and nays on final passage. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient…

I formally raise a point of order that the amendment violates section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The point of order is sustained. The amendment falls.

I thank the Chair. The floor is now open for debate and further amendment as requested. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts. Amendment No. 2077

I have 12 amendments that have been cleared on both sides of the aisle. We thank the sponsors of these amendments for working with our staff and the relevant committees for clearing these amendments. I call up on behalf of Senator Reed of…

The Leahy-Coleman amendment will be one of them. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

we have spoken with the parties, and we believe we have come to an agreement to have a vote at 12:20, with the time equally divided between the Senator from Oklahoma and--how much time does the Senator from Oklahoma want?

we share the concerns of the Senator from Oklahoma. I think there are more efficient ways for HUD to conduct its conferences. Therefore, on our side we accept the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.

I believe before long, when they complete a markup, that the Senator from Alaska--probably both Senators will be here. They will have an opportunity to speak, and I am confident we will hear a very different side of that story. I do not…

we need to see the amendments from Senator Landrieu. I believe with modifications we can accept them. If she would share them with us, we would be happy to do that. I would ask my colleagues, the Senator from Vermont and the Senator from…

I see the Senator from Oklahoma has essentially proposed five amendments which all seek to do the same thing, amendments Nos. 2089, 2090, 2091, 2092, 2093. These essentially are targeted at economic development initiatives. I wonder if we…

before I turn it over to the Senator from Washington, as I said to the Senator, we have a difference in philosophy. I commended him publicly for his tremendous service to Oklahoma--specifically the fact that he continues his practice of…