I stand before you today to congratulate the Congressional Management Foundation on its 35th anniversary of service to Capitol Hill. Founded in 1977, CMF is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving management practices…

I welcome everyone back, the staff and Presiding Officer. I hope everyone had a restful and productive month. I look forward to this work period, which will be very short and exact, and I hope we can accomplish a few things…

I wish to take a minute to talk about Congressman Paul Ryan's arithmetic. It is very interesting. He said he ran a marathon. A marathon is 26.2 miles long. While being questioned by the press, he said he ran it in about 2 hours and 50…

Would the Chair announce the business of the day. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Morning Business Under the previous order, Senators are permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes…

So the word's out that he hasn't paid any taxes for ten years. Let him prove that he has paid taxes, because he hasn't.

I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, September 10, 2012, at 5 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 664; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form…

I will talk about cyber security in 1 minute. Let's talk about the minority leader's continual harangue against the President of the United States. Underscore all of this with what my friend the Republican leader said at the beginning of…

I have a cloture motion 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 follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned…

I now ask for a second reading, but in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The legislation will be read for the second time on the…

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived and that the vote with respect to this motion occur at 2:15 on Tuesday, September 11. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate stands adjourned until 10:15 a.m. tomorrow, unless the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar No. 450, 609, 709, 718, 719, 720, 723, 825, 826, 827, 831, 837, 838, 841, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 59. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent…

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 135. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent…

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 135) was agreed…

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions…

I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion is entered. The majority leader is recognized.

The time left over will be whatever time is left over for the debate on the motion to proceed to the cloture vote; is that right? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. That is correct. tax Planning

nearly 3 years ago, I called the chairmen of the Senate's national security committees--Senators Lieberman, Rockefeller, Feinstein, Leahy, and Levin--together to discuss what, even then, was one of the most urgent priorities for our…

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…

we have had a wonderful group of summer pages. I am so glad we have these young men and women. As I have said a number of times and I repeat tonight, two of my grandchildren have been pages. It was a wonderful, life-altering experience for…

I wish to take a minute and express my appreciation--and I speak for all Senators--to Ashley Messick, who sits right here in front of us and has for 7 years. Honestly, it seems she just came yesterday. I really mean that. She has added a…

I ask unanimous consent that from Thursday, August 2, to Monday, September 10, the majority leader and Senators Webb, Reed of Rhode Island, Conrad, and Cardin be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the Senate's recess, committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on Tuesday, August 28, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…