Harry Reid

I would just say briefly we would finish the bill at the same time if we entered into the agreement that I submitted to Senator Warner and the Republicans. Time is of no difference.

I heard the Senator from Alaska say he needed a minute or two. I would be happy, if he wants to do that at the present time, to allow the President pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior Member of the Senate, to give a statement. Then…

We had one unanimous consent vote today on DOD and a vote on the Lugar amendment. I thought there would be something on Boy Scouts, but that never came to be, on an amendment offered by the majority leader.

Make sure that people understand this: The mere fact that there are amendments that are valid postcloture does not mean they will allow a vote on them.

I respond to my friend, add to that the 2 weeks and 2 weeks, add 31 legislative days on judges, and understand that wound up being five people, three of whom are now judges, two of whom are not. As I understand it, we have more than…

If cloture is invoked on the underlying bill--certainly people know the procedure around here better than I, but if cloture is invoked Tuesday morning, say 11 o'clock, add 30 hours to that, and that is when we would be finished.

If I could say a word before closure takes place, I know the burden on the majority leader is significant. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Through the Chair, I express my desire to the majority leader that we figure out…

If I could just briefly say, I appreciate the statement of the distinguished majority leader. I want this matter to stay before the attention of the Senate. I think it would be better to do it this way and send it to the House. I think…

That is real good news. I suggest the absence of a quorum, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Alexander). The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Because if it is going to come from other Interior programs, I would even go so far as to suggest maybe the Presiding Officer would not want $1.5 billion to come out of the Interior bill for programs that are not within the Interior bill…

I have a question I want to ask my friend. The money in the Interior bill, I hope it is additional money, not money coming from other programs. Does the distinguished majority leader know about that? Do you understand my question? I hope…

Who has the time? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from California has time remaining.

I second what the chairman has just stated and commit to work with the Senator from Rhode Island during conference to address his concerns. I am confident we can find a way to continue to support local and State weatherization efforts and…

Yes, the Senator has my assurance that it is the committee's intent that $1 million of the funds provided to Altair Nanomaterials should be used for the ongoing partnership with Western Michigan University.

I also thank the Virginia Senators for their support of the Energy & Water bill and for their strong support for programs that advance science. I will join with Senator Domenici in an effort to accommodate the matter that has been brought…

Mr. President I say to my colleagues from Florida, I know how important restoring America's Everglades is to the United States and to the State of Florida, and I appreciate the efforts of Senator Nelson and Senator Martinez to keep this…

If I may comment. The reason I like Senator Burr so much is because he pays attention while he presides. I am impressed with that. ____________________

Before we proceed, I say through the Chair to the distinguished Senator from Arizona, this is one of the smallest managers' packages I have ever seen. I think we have eight or nine items in it, and they are ready for review right now. Mr…

We will certainly keep that in mind, but we also have an opportunity when the conference report comes back to take a look at it again if someone needs a recorded vote. As we always do, we will work with the Senator from Arizona, and if…

I am wondering, while the manager and everybody else is on the floor--we know we have at least one amendment that will take some debate. I am wondering if everybody wants a vote on final passage. We can do that. It will take a while to get…

The Indian Health Service which is funded by this bill, is the agency charged with providing health care services to Native American people. We in this body must work to ensure that the Indian Health Service is meeting the needs of all…

I am proud to represent a State with so many natural treasures. Of particular importance to me is the Lake Mead Natural Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Park Service. Because of its amazing natural beauty and its proximity…

As the leader mentioned, we are going to go to Homeland Security appropriations next, is that right?

And it is regardless of the Parliamentarian making a decision as to what he said.

I would be totally opposed to cloture being invoked if I felt the majority was somehow stopping us from offering amendments, but that has not been the case. There has been ample opportunity for people to offer amendments. So I think we…