I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 12, 2014 at 10 a.m., in room SD-406 of the Dirksen Senate office building, to conduct a hearing…

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolutions be agreed to en bloc and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

I very much appreciate Senator McCain's stunning delivery on this horrible situation going on in Syria. ____________________

following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1963, the Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act. Senator-designate John Walsh of Montana will become a Senator…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 292, S. 1068. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1068) to reauthorize and amend the National…

I yield back all time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs? The nomination was confirmed…

today it is my pleasure to welcome the next Senator from Montana, Lt. Gov. John Walsh. Governor Walsh will be sworn in prior to the weekly caucus meetings. I am really happy with this man coming here. My friend the assistant leader has…

I was surprised this morning to hear Republicans literally howling over President Obama's decision to ease the transition for medium-sized businesses to providing health insurance for all of their employees. Republicans have complained…

we are going to have one more recorded vote. We think we will have another vote that will not be recorded, but it will be a voice vote and that will be the last vote tonight. I am totally aware of the weather prediction, that we might get…

I ask unanimous consent that at 4:30 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 516, 517, 518, and 593; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form; that…

in addition to the swearing-in of Lieutenant Governor Walsh, I expect that this afternoon the Senate will adopt the motion to proceed to legislation to restore the earned pensions of military retirees. This measure restores cost-of-living…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, February 12, 2014; that following the prayer and pledge the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be…

I further ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered; the Begich amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the committee-reported substitute, as amended, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time…

I ask unanimous consent that at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 525, 595, 527, and 529; that there be 30 minutes for debate divided in…

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 6:45 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at 9:30 a.m…

So there will be up to four rollcall votes starting at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. We expect to receive the debt limit legislation and the military retirement pay bill from the House tomorrow and we hope to consider both items during tomorrow's…

I object to any further proceedings with respect to these two bills. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bills will be placed on the calendar. Restoring Retirement Pay to U.S. Armed Forces

I am told there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bills by title for the second time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 3590) to protect and enhance…

I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 298. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 298, S. 1963, a bill to repeal section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act…

I rise today to honor the hard work and dedicated service of my friend Pat Mulroy who is retiring from her position as general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. In Nevada, as well as…

at 5:30 p.m. there will be a rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1963. Measures Placed on the Calendar--H.R. 3590 and H.R. 3964

today the Senate will consider new legislation that would restore earned retirement pay to the men and women of our Armed Forces. The measure restores cost-of-living adjustments for all military retirees regardless of age, disability or…

I agree that protecting the bulk power system against such attacks is an issue of critical importance.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I have a cloture motion at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned…