On the recordFebruary 1, 2012
as the Presiding Officer and all Senators should understand, we have a new sheriff in the Senate now. And we wish Elizabeth MacDonough well. She is certainly well qualified for this job. She has proven that in the decade she has been here, her fairness and astuteness of Senate rules. Let everyone understand that a new boss is in the Senate now. This morning, following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour. The Republicans will control the first half and the majority will control the final half. Following morning business, we will resume consideration of the STOCK Act. The STOCK Act Mr. President, it is my understanding that the Republicans are going to have a luncheon today. I hope they discuss what they want to do here on the Senate floor. Last night we had a situation where two of our fine Senators, Mr. Lieberman and Ms. Collins, who have a reputation of being fair and bipartisan, did their best to work through some amendments, to set up votes on them, and they couldn't do it because we had Senators who offered amendments that had nothing to do with this bill--nothing. But Republican Senators said they would not allow a vote on germane and relevant amendments until they were guaranteed a vote on their nongermane amendments. So that is not a good situation, and we cannot legislate in that fashion.…
