I thank the Senator from New Mexico and the Presiding Officer, the Senator from Oregon, for their leadership in talking about rules reform. They are relatively new to the Senate. I have been here a few years and I have seen a dramatic…

Mr. President, it is my understanding that the majority leader is going to yield the floor to me at this moment. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois. ____________________

Mr. President, I want to join in the remarks of the majority leader. What a disappointment to learn that last night the House of Representatives failed to bring up the supplemental appropriations bill, which is to provide relief for the…

Madam President, it was after 2 a.m. this morning when the Senate finally passed this historic measure which puts the fiscal cliff behind us, if--if--the House of Representatives follows through and passes it as well. I hope they take it…

I ask to speak in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is recognized. ____________________

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair. There being no objection, the Senate, at 8:15 p.m., recessed subject to the call of the Chair and reassembled at 1:22 a.m. when called…

I do not believe there is any further debate on this bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time. The…

I ask unanimous consent that where applicable, the committee-reported amendments be considered; that any amendments to those amendments, which are at the desk, be agreed to; that the committee-reported amendments, as amended, if amended…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 2015 and S. 3563, and the Senate proceed to their consideration, along with the following bills en bloc: H.R. 3263, H.R. 3641…

I ask unanimous consent that the Cornyn substitute at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 3250, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when tributes to Danny Inouye, late Senator from Hawaii, be printed as a Senate document, and that Members have until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, to submit said tributes. The PRESIDING…