this afternoon I offered a consent agreement dealing with the budget. I withdrew that because we did not have anyone here to object, and I had an inkling there would be an objection if a Republican were here. We have been asked to move…

In violating 217 years of standard procedure in the Senate, changing the rules by breaking the rules is about as far as you could get from a constitutional option.

For people to suggest that you can break the rules to change the rules is un-American.

there will be a rollcall vote on the Medine nomination at noon tomorrow. At 2:15 p.m., we will begin consideration of S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act. I have spoken to the two managers of that bill, Chairman Boxer and Ranking…

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 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 10 a.m…

The nuclear option was the most important issue I had ever worked on in my entire career, because if that had gone forward, it would have destroyed the Senate as we know it.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 33, H. Con. Res. 25; that all after the enacting clause be stricken; that the amendment, which is at the desk, the text of S. Con. Res. 8, the budget…

following leader remarks the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30 p.m. Today at 5:30 p.m. the Senate will resume consideration of S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act. There will be two rollcall votes in order to complete action…

for 38 straight months private sector companies have added new jobs and put Americans back to work, 7 million Americans in all. They have done it in spite of economic policies that hampered growth--harsh austerity policies Republicans have…

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

there is no such thing. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?

Harry Reid recognized the importance of exchange programs in his remarks.

President, today I rise to recognize one of Congress' longest-serving and loyal staffers, Charlie Houy. After three decades of service under Senators Ted Stevens, John Stennis and Daniel Inouye, Charlie retired April 6, 2013. Today, on his…

The Senate considered the budget--and that is an understatement. We voted on more than 100 amendments, as I mentioned a few minutes ago. It was hard. The votes were hard. The Senate passed its budget. It should now go to conference, that…

I would make a comment before making a decision on that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to executive session to consider nominations 24, 25, 61, and 89. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Before we hear from my friend from Maine, I appreciate very much her tenacity, her diligence, and that of Senator Rockefeller and others. This is something that has been difficult, but I think it is the right thing to do. Hopefully when we…

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum required under rule XXII be waived, and that the cloture vote occur on Monday, May 6, following the disposition of the Marketplace Fairness Act. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it…

I ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and that no further motions be in order to any of the…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn and convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session the…

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

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 8:41 p.m., adjourned until Friday, April 26, 2013, at…

I ask unanimous consent that as soon as I finish my brief remarks, the Senator from Montana be recognized to respond to the remarks of the Senator from North Dakota. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 44, S. 601. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to the bill (S. 601) to provide for the conservation and…