the reason I went into that is because my friend Senator McCain talked about how little we have accomplished. I didn't bring that up. I indicated why we have accomplished so little. I also say to my two Republican friends who are on the…

to my friend--and he is my friend for whom I have admiration and respect--the senior Senator from Arizona makes my case. He is absolutely right. This is, I am sorry to say, the least productive Congress perhaps ever. Why? Because…

we have already reached that position. That is not how things work in a democracy or, I doubt, anyplace else. So I object to my friend's suggested modification. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the original request?

last month the Senate Finance Committee reported bipartisan legislation on what are called the tax extenders. The Finance Committee tax extender legislation addresses a significant part of the so-called fiscal cliff. The Finance Committee…

it would seem to me that the Senator's concern should be directed toward Senator Paul, not me. It sounds to me he may vote against the Paul amendment from what I have heard. If he is that concerned about it, I think we should get it up…

I hope the Record can pick up the smile on my face. Why in the world--when the Senate has already acted, with a majority of the Senate saying we do not believe there should be taxes extended to the rich; that we believe in protecting the…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 499, S. 3521. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion to proceed. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 499, S. 3521, a bill to amend the…

I ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, September 19, following any leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S. 3457, and notwithstanding rule XXII, it be in order for Senator McConnell or his designee to raise a budget point…

I suggest the absence of a quorum and that the time be equally charged. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I yield to my friend from Vermont. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Vermont is recognized. GUEST CHAPLAIN FATHER MARCEL RAINVILLE

last night cloture was filed on the substitute amendment and the underlying bill, the veterans jobs bill. If we are unable to reach an agreement to move up the timing of the cloture vote, then we will have to have these votes as early as…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 2808 To Amendment No. 2789

I have a motion to commit the bill with instructions which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to commit the bill, S. 3457, to the…

I have a cloture motion on the substitute amendment which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The legislative clerk read as…

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2814 to amendment No. 2813. The amendment…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. Res. 553, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 533) designating…

I have an amendment at the desk to the language proposed to be stricken. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2810 to the…

on behalf of Senator Murray, I call up the substitute amendment, No. 2789. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid], for Mrs. Murray, proposes an…

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 2814 To Amendment No. 2813

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 9:38 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 10 a.m.

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2811 to amendment No. 2810. The amendment…

Henry Ward Beecher, the famous abolitionist, once said, ``A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life.'' I agree. Our Founding Fathers also agreed, and that is why we have the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress…

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2809 to amendment No. 2808. The amendment…

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 2809 To Amendment No. 2808

I have a first-degree perfecting amendment which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 2808 to amendment No…