I think it is my choice, and I am confident the choice of the senior Senator from Oklahoma, to avoid sequestration. We need to do this through some type of balanced plan, and I am committed to doing that.

The administration's stonewalling has not only had the effect of slowing down the confirmation process, it has also put a further cloud over this individual and has--perhaps unnecessarily--raised the impression that the nominee and the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 22. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 22)…

I would finally say it is not as if the Senator from Oklahoma is asking that the actual amount of dollars be lessened. He is just saying they should be rearranged. So I appreciate his good will on this legislation. We need to get this bill…

I ask unanimous consent that following leader remarks tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 7, H.R. 325; that the following amendments, the text of which is at the desk, be the only…

I rise to honor a man of great distinction and valor: Maj. Jaime I. Hernandez of the United States Air Force. It is my great honor to acknowledge this American hero on the cusp of his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Jaime is a loving son…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

there will be one rollcall vote at about 12:15 tomorrow and as many as five additional rollcall votes after 2:15 p.m. ____________________

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

I am told that S. 177 is at the desk and due for a second reading. Is that correct? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. That is correct. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The assistant legislative clerk read as…

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from S. Res. 13 and that we now proceed to its consideration in the Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the resolution…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved…

today women make up nearly half of the American workforce. More women graduate from college today than do men, more women were sworn in to the 113th Congress than any Congress before that, and there are more women in the Democratic caucus…

I am told S. 164 is at the desk and due for a second reading. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 164) to prohibit the United States from…

following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12:30 p.m., with the majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes. The Senate will recess, as we always…

I am so used to the President pro tempore allowing someone else to preside that I was speechless. I am very glad the President pro tempore is here. We have not seen him a lot, and it kind of keeps us on our toes. I am glad he is here…

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

I ask unanimous consent that at 2:15 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 1, the nomination of Senator John Kerry to be Secretary of State, with 2 hours of debate equally divided in the…

last week, after the Nation celebrated the second inauguration of President Obama, I expressed a hope that this Congress would be characterized by its commitment to finding common ground. I am pleased that a bipartisan group of eight…

there are seven 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. 47) to reauthorize the Violence…

following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30 p.m. During that time Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. At 4:30 p.m. the Senate will begin consideration of the Hurricane…

I ask unanimous consent that at 4:30 p.m. Monday, January 28, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 152, the supplemental appropriations bill to provide disaster assistance for Hurricane Sandy; that the only amendment in order to…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 17) was…

I note the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum…