I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

the Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 to allow for weekly caucus meetings. There are productive negotiations going on with the Republican leader. I am confident we will be able to reach a compromise agreement this week in time to avert…

to my friend, the senior Senator from Illinois, we have seen what has gone on these last few months, through this whole year, with a group of people who are giving press conferences, holding demonstrations. They want the government to stay…

we know this has been a difficult time for everyone, and Senator McConnell and I have been working diligently over the last few days trying to arrive at the culmination of efforts that have been ongoing for quite some time now. We have…

I would just close by saying this: We are doing our best to make everybody happy, but everyone knows we are not going to be able to do that. So, everybody understand that we are doing the very best we can with all of the frailties we have…

at 5 o'clock today the Senate will proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Andrea Wood to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and the nomination of Madeline Haikala to be United States…

This bill they are saying over here is doomed to failure.

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 6:11 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at 10 a.m…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 211, S. 1569. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 211, S. 1569, a bill to ensure the…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 211, S. 1569, the debt limit bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 211, S. 1569, a bill to…

We have some speakers throughout the day's session with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. We will have more information at a subsequent time how late we will be in. Yesterday Republicans voted to stop the Senate from…

under the previous order, at 5 p.m. tomorrow there will be 30 minutes for debate prior to a series of up to two rollcall votes on the confirmation of Andrea Wood to be a U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Illinois and…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. Monday, October 14; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to…

I object to any further proceedings on this matter at this time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the joint resolution will be placed on the calendar. ____________________

I have had a productive conversation with the Republican leader this afternoon. Our discussions were substantive, and we will continue those discussions. I am optimistic about the prospects for a positive conclusion to the issues before…

I have been told that H.J. Res. 76 is due for a second reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The leader is correct. The clerk will read the joint resolution by title for the second time. The bill clerk read as follows: A joint resolution (H.J…

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 4:46 p.m., adjourned until Monday, October 14, 2013, at 2 p.m.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 1 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, October 13, 2013, and that following the prayer and pledge the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings…

I am told that H.J. Res. 76 has been received from the House and is at the desk and due for activity. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the joint resolution by title for the first time. The bill clerk read as follows: A joint…

I ask unanimous consent the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 812 and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the bill by…

as most know now--we did a press event so everybody knows, I guess, but I will say it again--I had a meeting with Senators McConnell, Alexander, and Schumer this morning to work on issues before us. The conversations are preliminary, but…

I appreciate the kind words of the Senator from Louisiana, but I want the Record spread with the work she has done that I have seen in our years together in the Senate. No one has been more of an advocate for a State than the senior…

I ask for its second reading and object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the joint resolution will be read for a second time on the next legislative day. ____________________

it is very hard to comprehend that 4 days from today, unless and until a few extremist Republicans--we hope it is a few--too radical to compromise, could force a default on the Nation's financial obligations for the first time ever…

I ask unanimous consent that Senators be permitted to speak now during our morning hour business for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.