the Russia PNTR bill that is before us takes a long overdue action by ending the application of Jackson-Vanik sanctions to Russia. Jackson-Vanik is no longer relevant to Russia because Russia no longer restricts the free emigration of its…

I want to join my colleagues in extending condolences to the family of Senator Warren Rudman, and add my voice to those saluting a distinguished, effective and principled member of this body. It has been hard in the last few months, for…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Shaheen). The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I move to reconsider, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Kyl Amendment No. 3213, as Modified The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, amendment No. 3123, as modified, is agreed…

in a moment I am going to note the absence of a quorum unless there is someone who wishes to speak. I want to try to work through this pending issue. I think it is the last issue we need to work through in some way before there will be a…

I very much support the amendment offered by Senator McCain and thank him for it. The suffering of the Syrian people and, increasingly, the people of the region continues to grow daily. This amendment tells the Secretary of Defense and the…

I call up a list of 11 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Kyl amendment No. 2927, as modified by the changes at the desk; Akaka amendment No. 3019; Toomey amendment No. 3062; Brown of Ohio amendment No. 3113…

I first want to thank the Senator from Colorado for his work on reforming our Nation's export control laws. The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions addressing these issues. I support his efforts in…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider these amendments en bloc, the amendments be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered…

This discharge petition frames the issue immediately before us: will Republicans take America over the cliff, and the middle class tax cuts with them, in order to protect tax breaks for the very wealthy. And will they take the economy with…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendments Nos. 2927, 3019, 3062, 3113, 3175, 3241, 3242, 3277, 3285, 3226, and 3117

It is. Mr. McCAIN. Hopefully, we will do that shortly. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that the only additional first-degree amendment remaining in order to the bill be the following: McCain amendment No. 3262, on Syria, as modified with changes that are at the desk; that there be 20 minutes equally…

while the leader is here, I would add my thanks to the majority leader. This could not have happened without the willingness of the majority leader to take a little bit of risk at this time of year with so few days left. Senator McCain and…

I thank all of our colleagues. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be added as a cosponsor of the McCain amendment and that Senator Coons also be added as a cosponsor of the McCain amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I will be very brief. I feel so grateful and so proud that the tradition of our committee and this Senate has been maintained on our 51st consecutive Defense authorization bill, a bill that is so vitally important to the Nation. I am…

I call up a list of 13 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Coats amendment No. 2923, as modified by the changes at the desk; Webb amendment No. 2943; Casey amendment No. 2997, as modified by the changes at the…

I move to reconsider the vote. Mr. McCAIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 3292 Senator Reed's amendment, amendment No. 3292, to the National Defense Authorization Act…

I move to reconsider that vote. Mr. McCAIN. I move to lay the motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan. Amendments Nos. 2923, as Modified, 2943, 2997, as Modified…

I move to reconsider that vote. Mr. McCAIN. I move to lay the motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 3124, as Further Modified

I now call up a list of 20 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Begich amendment No. 2954; Inhofe amendment No. 2978; Blumenthal amendment No. 3015; Cardin amendment No. 3022; Cardin amendment No. 3024; Tester…

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the adoption of the Blumenthal amendment No. 3124, as modified, the amendment be modified further with the changes that are at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without…

we are making some very important progress. We are hopeful there may be another package of cleared amendments even before the vote on cloture later this afternoon. If not, we will nonetheless be offering that list of cleared amendments…

first let me thank the majority leader while he is still here on the floor for the support he has given to Senator McCain and myself and all of us who are working so hard to get a Defense authorization bill passed for the 52nd straight…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider these amendments en bloc, the amendments be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendments were…