it was actually Senator Reid, Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, who put it in.

I know of no further debate on this matter. The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is, Shall the bill pass. The bill (H.R. 6655) was passed.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

No one would believe this, but I did not know Senator Durbin was going to say a word. Most of what he said is unimportant, but I appreciate his efforts to try to make me better than what I am. I really do appreciate his friendship. We came…

I ask unanimous consent that the HELP committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6655 and that it be referred to the Committee on Finance. I further ask that the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of…

would the Chair announce the business of the day. ____________________

I appreciate very much the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the President pro tempore of the Senate saying those nice things about me. It is an honor to have gotten to know Pat Leahy so well. He has broken all records. My record is…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session and the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following nomination: PN 1404; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate…

I am stunned by what didn't happen in the House of Representatives last night. I appreciate that they, with the support of all but a handful of Democrats and just a handful of Republicans, passed something to keep us from going over the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 630. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 630) congratulating the Navy and the current and…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times, passed, the motion to reconsider be made and laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to H.R. 4606. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 4606) to authorize the issuance of right-of- way permits for natural…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session and the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following nominations: PN 1928, and PN 1951; that the nominations be confirmed; the…

last December President Obama appointed a person by the name of David Medine to serve as the chairman of the bipartisan Privacy and Civil Liberties Board. After 9/11, Congress created this five-member board to make recommendations to…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any related statements be printed in the Record. The…

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 5:07 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, January 3, 2013. ____________________

there will be a live quorum at noon, which will be followed by the swearing in of new and recently reelected Senators. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today and when it convenes tomorrow, January 3, 2012, at 12 noon, pursuant to the Constitution, following the prayer and pledge and following the presentation of the…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 3716. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 3716) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 p.m. tomorrow, January 2, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

first of all, I appreciate everyone, including the Presiding Officers we have had over the last few days, and everyone, especially the staff who have been working so hard. Everyone is just as tired as I am, I am sure. So I appreciate very…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4365 and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

I ask unanimous consent that the following committees be discharged from further consideration of the following nominations and the Senate proceed to their consideration en bloc: Commerce Committee, Presidential Nominations 1919, 1774…