And my friend would also acknowledge that when Presidents submit these budgets, don't they propose a budget rather than nitpicking different pieces of the budget one at a time?

This is similar to ``Groundhog Day'' because this is a picture we have already seen in the very lucid speech given by my friend from New Hampshire. She should have gone back through the Congressional Record. We have been through this…

I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk continued with the call of the roll.

No, it is not right, because what the amendment of the Senator from Ohio does is hurt people who are disabled. Part of Jack Reed's amendment stops people from drawing both benefits at the same time.

Of course. Mr. McCONNELL. Is it the majority leader's intent to allow votes on any Republican amendments?

If he will just withhold--and he can offer his amendment--I do want to say this. We get nowhere with dueling amendments. We have learned that in the past. Dueling amendments don't do the trick. The issue is pronounced, it is here before…

My friend, the Senator from Indiana, is of those Senators who used to be here when the good old times were here. We didn't have ``gotcha'' amendments. Every amendment offered, with rare exception, is a ``gotcha'' amendment. That is not…

I was there, just like my friend. Things were different then, they certainly were, because we did not have hundreds of filibusters that would take place. Filibuster was something that was used rarely. In those days would you ever…

Yes. Mr. McCONNELL. He brings up the Secretary of Defense frequently. Was the Secretary of Defense defeated or confirmed?

No, he was only delayed while we had two wars going on in this country. Mr. McCONNELL. Has a member of the President's Cabinet ever been defeated on a filibuster in the history of the Senate?

This will be the last vote today. The next vote will be Monday, January 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. ____________________

I further ask that the resolution be agreed to; the Nelson amendment to the preamble be agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; the amendment to the title be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid…

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment, Madam President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays are ordered. Amendment No. 2632 to Amendment No. 2631

It is the same time and time again. Things are never quite right. They want to offer amendments. We have been waiting here since Monday for pay-fors. The only pay-for we have heard realistically to take care of this is something everyone…

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2632 to amendment…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 1171) was ordered to be…

Tomorrow we hope to make progress on the unemployment insurance extension. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled. ____________________

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order, following the remarks of my friend, the Senator from Ohio, Mr. Portman. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

Following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1845, the unemployment compensation legislation. We have no votes scheduled yet. When we are able to work…

Yesterday's vote to advance a measure which is so vitally important to our country--to extend the lifeline to Americans who lost their jobs during this great recession--was a very positive development, but we are a long way from restoring…

I further ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed and the motion 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 ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1171 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

there will be no rollcall votes tonight. I think as most people know, though it bears reiterating, I oppose paying for a short-term extension of unemployment insurance benefits. The current level of long-term unemployment is an economic…

I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further work on H.R. 667, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Blumenthal). Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk…

I ask unanimous consent that the following staff of the Finance Committee be granted the privilege of the floor for the remainder of this session: Harrison Covall, Caroline Frauman, and Maureen Downes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…