I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business until 10 p.m. and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered…

following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the national defense authorization bill. Rollcall votes are possible throughout the day. We will do our best to notify Senators ahead of time…

for the information of all Senators, there will be two rollcall votes tonight at 11:15 p.m. on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act, and cloture on the Mayorkas…

I ask unanimous consent that if cloture is invoked on Executive Calendar No. 456, Alejandro Mayorkas, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, all but 1 hour of postcloture time be yielded back, and that when the Senate convenes on…

after we complete work on the Defense authorization bill, this body will consider several essential nominations, including the new Federal Reserve Chair--so important, as we learned yesterday from the announcement of Chairman Ben Bernanke…

for more than 50 years consecutively; that is, 50 years in a row every year, the United States has passed the National Defense Authorization Act. This year is not going to be an exception. This tradition indicates the respect and gratitude…

I move to proceed to S. 1356. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 1356, a bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. 1859, submitted earlier today, a bill that includes the following provisions: an extension of the provision to exclude mortgage debt forgiveness from taxable income; deductions for State and…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 1859

I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the motion to concur with the amendment. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The motion is withdrawn. The question is on agreeing to the motion to…

Reserving the right to object, I would refer to the statement I gave earlier today, and I object. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The objection is heard to the modification. Is there objection to the original request? Mr. McCONNELL. I…

I am told there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bills by title for the second time. The legislative clerk read as follows. A bill (S. 1845) to provide for the…

following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message with respect to the bipartisan budget agreement postcloture. Rollcall votes are possible throughout…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 1356. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 1356, a bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of…

today the Senate is debating the House- passed budget agreement which was an important step in avoiding another dangerous and costly government shutdown to our economy such as we had in October. Another shutdown caused by the Republicans…

I would object to any further proceedings with respect to these two bills. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bills will be placed on the calendar. Unfinished Business

I ask unanimous consent that the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 947 and the Senate now proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 243. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 1356, a bill to amend the Workforce Investment…

I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of United States Capitol Police Sergeant Kathleen Bignotti, who is retiring after more than 28 years of service to the Department. Sgt. Bignotti began her career in October 1985, when she…

are we in a period of morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. ____________________

I suggest the absence of a quorum The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Manchin). The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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 7:29 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 10 a.m…

votes are possible throughout the day tomorrow. Senators will be notified when they are scheduled. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2013; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for…

I ask unanimous consent the bills be read three times and passed en bloc, 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…