what is the matter now before the Senate? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The motion to proceed to S. 3254.

Is there further debate on this matter? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there further debate on the motion to proceed? If not, the question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 29, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the…

I don't understand his brain, so you should ask him. It's been weeks, at least two weeks, since we met at the White House and we're still waiting for a serious offer from the Republicans.

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 7:18 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, November 29, 2012…

Senator McCain is absolutely right. Those of us who served with Bob Dole revere Bob Dole. He is such a stalwart figure in the history of America. He has all the qualities of a leader that I admire and certainly wish I had. He has a great…

I move to proceed to executive session for the purpose of the consideration of treaty document 112-7, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I ask unanimous consent that prior to the clerk reporting the motion, Senator…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 602. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 602)…

I respond to my friend, the point is that rules have been changed by simple majority for a long time. That is what Senator McConnell said in 2005 and that is accurate. I would also say this, and I say this as respectfully as I can about…

To paraphrase Shakespeare, which I don't do too often, I think the Republican leader protests far too much. Now he has gone back to quoting Senator Byrd. The situation we had when the Republicans were trying to change the rules regarding…

We hope to begin consideration of the Defense authorization bill tomorrow. We will also work on an agreement for amendments to the disabilities treaty. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, November 28, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning…

Sure. Mr. McCONNELL. Did the Senate majority at that time, made up of Republicans, choose to go forward and do that? We did not do it. We did not use the nuclear option. There was a lot of discussion about it which related to judicial…

I ask for the yeas and nays on my motion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. There is a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will call the roll…

this is one of the must-do pieces of legislation we have to do before this calendar year ends. Finding Common Ground

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3642. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 3642) to clarify the scope of the…

I ask unanimous consent that John Daley, a State Department detailee to the Foreign Relations Committee, be given floor privileges during the debate on the disabilities treaty. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. 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 6:47 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, November 28, 2012…

too often it is a challenge to find common ground here in Washington. But as we negotiate a path back from the fiscal cliff, we should also recognize when Democrats and Republicans agree. We agree taxes should not go up for anyone making…

Senator Byrd served in the House of Representatives and the Senate for almost 60 years. He gave lots of speeches. I have quoted what he said. I will quote again part of what he said. The Constitution in Article I, Section 5 says that, Each…

I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 419, S. 3254, the Defense authorization bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to the bill (S. 3254) to authorize…

we are going to recess, as we normally do on Tuesdays, from 12:30 to 2:15 to allow for our weekly caucus meetings. We are going to begin consideration of the disabilities treaty this afternoon whether with a vote or with permission. It is…

I am told that S. 3637 is due for its second reading and is at the desk. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 3637) to temporarily…