this is important. I have a unanimous consent request that we have been working on for a long time. I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by me, in consultation with Senator McConnell, the Senate proceed to executive…

by now the minority's tactics, the Republican tactics of obstruction and delay are well known, but they are also well worn. Those methods were once again on display yesterday when Republicans delayed for the second time in 2 weeks a Senate…

through the Chair to my friend from New Mexico, I am not managing the bill. However, it is my understanding that there have been objections raised to offering more amendments. We could get the chair back here or somebody to manage this…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn following the remarks of the Senator from Louisiana, Ms. Landrieu. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 136, S. Res. 137, and S. Res. 138. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to…

as previously announced, there will be no rollcall votes on Monday. The next rollcall vote will be on Tuesday prior to the caucus meetings. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to…

if the Senator would be kind enough, we can move through this in about 2 or 3 minutes and then we will put it on automatic pilot for as long as the Senator cares to speak.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 360. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 360) to award…

this afternoon we have been trying to move forward on the WRDA bill--the Water Resources Development Act--and significant progress has been made. One of the issues we are trying to work out is an issue dealing with Senator Landrieu. She…

I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by me, in consultation with Senator McConnell, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 40; that there be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form…

I ask unanimous consent that at 1:30 today, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 39 and 41 under the previous order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

we have made progress on this bill in the last couple of days. We have had a difficult time on some of the amendments that were nongermane, but we worked our way through those. The two managers on this bill are waiting for amendments to be…

following my remarks and those of Senator McConnell, the Senate will be in morning business until 10 a.m. At 10 a.m., the Senate will recess until 11:30 to allow for the joint meeting of Congress with the President of the Republic of…

for years Republicans have been singing the praises of regular order, week after week, month after month. It has gone into years now. Even though they may not have been correct, they did it anyway. They said how they missed the days of…

I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Brian Joseph David, who retired from the Department of Defense on December 31, 2012, after 30 years of dedicated service to the Federal Government. Mr. David's expertise in continuity issues greatly…

I understand that S. 888 is at the desk and due for a second reading. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 888) to provide…

I object to any further proceedings with respect to the bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bill will be placed on the calendar. ____________________

One of the three scheduled votes has been withdrawn, an amendment, so we only have one more vote. Senator Boxer and Senator Vitter have a number of other people wanting to offer amendments today, so if you have amendments, talk to the…

following leader remarks the Senate will be in morning business until 11 a.m. with the Republicans controlling the first half and the majority controlling the final half. Following morning business the Senate will proceed to executive…

I am sure my colleagues are familiar with the old adage: Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. For 2 years my Republican colleagues have said they wish for a return to regular order. They asked for amendments, and they got…

this afternoon, as I have just indicated, the Senate will work on the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, which would provide critical flood protection and other improvements to communities across the country. This legislation has…

The American people, in effect, reject the nuclear option because they see it for what it is, an abuse of power, arrogance of power.

is there an objection or no objection? Let's hear about it. We have had enough.