first of all, let me tell my dear friend from Arizona that I am sorry to hear about that objection that apparently is going to be placed against the unanimous consent agreement to adopt amendments which had been cleared by both sides. But…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendments Nos. 2954, 2978, 3015, 3022, 3024, 3028, 3042, as Modified, 3054, as Modified, 3066, 3091, as…

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 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 join in Senator McCain's thanks to our staff, which he invariably remembers, because they are critically important. They are helping us to clear additional amendments, and the progress is real. I think we are right at just about 100…

I call up amendments en bloc: Pryor No. 3291, Collins No. 3282, Reed No. 3292, and Reed No. 3165. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, the amendments are pending en bloc.

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 proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 508, S. 2170. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2170) to amend…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of S. Res. 606, which was submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A…

I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 676; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any related statements be printed in the Record. The…

I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, December 3, 2012, at 5 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 760; that there will be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the…

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the committee-reported title amendment be agreed to with no intervening action or debate; and…

I ask unanimous consent that these amendments be considered 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 agreed…

I join in that too. Now, we have to close. I don't know if we have the closing. We do. ____________________

I thank Senator McCain. He very humorously, with his great, good nature, kind of joshes himself comparing his patience to mine. My standard is not the one that anybody wants to follow around here; We will never get anything done. He is…

I didn't have to be there to know that the Vice President would lose any bet where he is betting anyone that he will be shorter than anybody on any subject. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Alabama.

And I understand that there was a quantity, and there was also a fairly long speech by the Vice President which delayed things on the floor by a few hours--by a few minutes, excuse me. But I hear it was a wonderful tribute. I only wish I…

Let me thank Senator Kyl with the way in which he has worked with Senator Kerry. It is very constructive and very important. I want to tell him how much we all appreciate that working together. I believe Senator Shaheen is going to want to…

Then is it the Senator's intent to send a new amendment to the desk? Is that it?

Is this the amendment that has been amended after discussions with Senator Kerry?

Would all Senators please note--I wish to thank the leader for this--he used the word, referring to Senator McCain and me, as ``seasoned'' Senators rather than older Senators. Thank you. Amendment No. 3073 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore…

In addition to putting together a finite list, which would be the amendments which would apparently require rollcall votes, we will continue to try to clear amendments which can be cleared on both sides. It is the amendments which we…