with this agreement, there will be two votes at 4 p.m. The first will be on the adoption of the Defense authorization conference report and the second vote on the confirmation of the nomination of Morgan Christen to be U.S. Circuit Judge…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 15, 2011, at 11 a.m., to hold a Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics Affairs subcommittee…

I have a press report that was released today relative to the testimony of Director Robert Mueller of the FBI, which I referenced in my speech. So that his statement will be reported more fully at this point, I ask unanimous consent to…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 15, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. in room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 15, 2011, at 10 a.m. in room 406 of the…

I rise in support of H.R. 2867, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011. Many of our Nation's Founders fled religious persecution, and they placed great importance on religious…

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bill will be read the second time on the next…

I ask unanimous consent that the Feinstein substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read three times and passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or…

I announce that the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) is necessarily absent. I further announce that if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote ``yea.''

This smuggling is run by militia leaders who continue to benefit greatly from the illicit trade.

I insist that Congolese authorities must now engage in a thorough and transparent review of the results.

Today I call on both President Kabila and Mr. Tshisekedi to urge their supporters to resolve their disagreements peacefully.

We should be starting putting pressure on the adult in the house and not create a set of schemes that keep on perpetrating the problems.

She wants this sexual violence to stop. And in order for it to stop, we, the international community and humanity, have to have the courage and say this has to stop.

I thank the Senator from Texas. I know her objection was on behalf of the Republican Senate leader. I would appeal to him and all Republicans on that side of the aisle, let's get down to the business of extending this payroll tax cut for…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business until 5 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so…

I thank my colleague from New York and colleague from Missouri for putting in context where we are today. But let's take one step back and look at what is the issue. The issue is basic: Will the payroll tax cut that currently helps 160…

in about 30 minutes, we will have a rare chance on the floor of the Senate--it does not happen often. We will have consideration of two efforts to amend the Constitution of the United States. We all take this seriously. Each one of us…

last night the House of Representatives passed a tax cut bill, one that is doomed in the Senate and that the President has made it clear he will not sign. It is important for us to move beyond this stalemate on an important issue that will…

I ask unanimous consent to recess under the previous order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. Thereupon, at 12:28 p.m., the Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassembled when…

there are very few things on which Members of Congress agree, but one of the things that binds us and unites us is the common oath we take to uphold and defend this document. This document is not just another resolution, another law; it is…

Reserving the right to object, I would just like to add my name at the end of the queue for at least 5 minutes.

I announce that the Senator from Montana (Mr. Baucus), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski), and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate is in morning business. ____________________