will the Senator yield for actually a question and a clarification?

I absolutely understand Senator Merkley's concerns about the issue and the concerns of many people about this issue. There has been a long-running understanding that we should not be legislating on appropriations, and I share the concern…

I would simply say that this is an amendment we are happy to accept on behalf of Senator Coons, Senator Johanns, Senator Durbin, Senator Isakson, and Senator Leahy. It would modestly increase the authorization for the local and regional…

this simply increases the authorization for the local and regional procurement program from $40 million per year to $60 million per year. It is based on a pilot project from the last farm bill to test various options on food aid for hungry…

on behalf of Senator Coons and Senator Johanns--I am not sure if Senator Johanns is here--I wish to call up amendment No. 1079 on their behalf. We intend to take this by voice vote this evening. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will…

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. vote explanation <bullet> Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I was unable to attend this roll call vote. Had I been present, I…

I urge adoption of the amendment. The Moran amendment follows the philosophy of this farm bill of moving from direct subsidies to crop insurance. It is an important crop, and it is important to make sure that we do have crop insurance…

I see colleagues who wish to speak. I wish to thank colleagues for their diligence as we work through amendments on the farm bill. Our goal is to complete this by the end of the week. It is important that we complete this jobs bill…

before the distinguished chair of the Judiciary Committee--and former chair of the Agriculture Committee-- leaves the floor, I just want to thank him not only for being a wonderful role model for me in chairing the Agriculture Committee…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:55 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 10 a.m…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013; that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be…

I ask unanimous consent that a Wyden amendment which is at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 588, which was received from the House and is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the…

One more comment, as I see my colleague is waiting to speak on the Senate floor. I want to thank everyone. As we are working through the farm bill, we are making progress, moving forward, and looking forward to continuing to put in place…

I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be in order: Moran No. 987 and Coons-Johanns No. 1079; that at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the two amendments in the order listed; that there…

I appreciate the confidence my friend from Oklahoma has about what business decisions will be made. Let's assume they don't walk away from crop insurance; they will be walking away from conservation compliance if they are not required to…

We yield back all time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If all time is yielded back, the question is on agreeing to amendment No. 1031. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 23, 2013, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 23, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Subcommittee on the…

now that the circuit court nomination vote has been scheduled for later this afternoon, I ask unanimous consent that at 10:30 a.m. the Senate resume consideration of S. 954, the farm bill; that there be 2 minutes equally divided prior to a…

Just for 30 seconds, this is a very important debate. I do not intend to interrupt it. But for purposes of colleagues who wish to speak next, I ask that once the debate is done, Senator Feinstein and Senator McCain have 15 minutes to…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Missouri. Unanimous Consent Request--H. Con. Res. 25 Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I rise to make a…

First, Mr. President, before discussing the amendment, I think it is important to note that this is not germane to the farm bill. Food labeling is properly subject to the jurisdiction of the HELP Committee; therefore, Senator Harkin…

while I very much appreciate the amendment of Senator Durbin and Senator Coburn, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Crop insurance is insurance, and the farmer gets a bill not a check. They get a bill. The question is whether…