Failure to do so would result in the loss of pay until Congress takes its job seriously.

I am stunned by a controversy over nothing. Under the rules of the Senate, we filed cloture, because there has been stalling and obstruction on the lives of 17 people. I didn't file on the appellate judges, only trial judges. Each one of…

each day the Senate begins its workday with a solemn ritual, and we just did. We pledge allegiance to our flag. Each day we rededicate our loyalty to this flag and to the fundamental pillar for which it stands--the right to justice for…

we rarely acknowledge the Chaplain here in the Senate, and we should more often. We are so fortunate as a body to have this good man leading prayer virtually every day. He gives tremendous thought to his prayers and what he should say. His…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 13, at 10 a.m.; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be…

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from S. Res. 310 and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 394, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The…

I now ask for a second reading but object to my own request on both these measures. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bills will be read for the second time on the next legislative day. ____________________

I have cloture motions relative to each of these district court nominees at the desk, and I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for them to be filed now. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 408, 441, 461, 462, 463, 464, 497, 509, 510, 528, 568, 569, 570, 571, 610, 612, and 613. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

reserving the right to object, last week the House passed their jobs bill. The purpose of that bill was to loosen securities regulations for small businesses. It is what they call a jobs act. It is not going to create a lot of jobs, but it…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Arizona.

I understand there are two bills at the desk due for their first readings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bills by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 3606) to increase American…

I ask unanimous consent that the pending Roberts amendment No. 1826 be modified with the changes at the desk and that Senator Stabenow be permitted to modify her amendment No. 1812 with the changes that are at the desk; further, that at…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Hagan). The Senator from Illinois.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

there will be two rollcall votes tomorrow at noon. ____________________

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 7:05 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at 10…

Would the Chair announce the business of the day. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.

At 2 o'clock we are going to start the votes on a mass number of amendments. The first one will be on the Outer Continental Shelf. It is my understanding that I have the right to start the voting at 2 o'clock; is that right? The PRESIDING…

it is 4:15 p.m. We have a matter that I believe will be decided by voice in just a few minutes. This will be the last vote until Tuesday, when we finish this bill. I appreciate everyone's cooperation. I have talked before about how…

everyone should know--staffs, alert your Senators--the first vote will be 15 minutes, with 5 minutes for people to get here. After that, we will have 10-minute votes. I ask unanimous consent that all subsequent votes be 10 minutes and the…

we are going to enforce that. We have 30 votes to get through today. It is going to be a lot of work on the clerks to do this, but Senators should stay here rather than wander off and do other things; otherwise, they are subject to missing…