Mike Levin: “The floor is open. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will…”

“The floor is open. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I will proceed under my leader time. RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader is recognized. Rules Changes Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, we have been discussing the plans of the Democratic majority to repudiate its clear commitment to respect the rights of the minority, which is a hallmark of the Senate, and instead to break the rules to change the rules. That is how my friend from Nevada repeatedly described it when Republicans were considering doing something similar several years ago. Of course, Republicans never did break the rules to change the rules, but Democrats are contemplating doing so in the name of ``efficiency.'' Last week I noted how my Democratic colleagues seek to minimize this major change in how the Senate governs itself by calling this heavyhanded power play ``tiny'' and a ``minor change'' and adjusting the Senate rules just ``a little bit.'' But this eleventh-hour rhetoric stands in stark contrast to what they have previously said and what they have systematically done.…”