I ask for a second reading in order to place the bill on the calendar under rule XIV but object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will receive a second reading on the next legislative day…

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 statements related to the resolution be printed in the…

I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Reid amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion is entered.

I don't know why everything we do has to be a fight--not a disagreement, a fight. This bill was brought up on February 7, and we have been spending the better part of a month dealing with contraception--by the way, an amendment I had to…

We appreciate everyone's patience. The Republican leader and I wanted to come and say a few words. The measure before the Senate today is moderate bipartisan legislation. Its four component parts were reported out of four different…

Retired Pay Restoration Act

I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote with respect to the underlying bill be vitiated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I am, for lack of a better word, disappointed. These amendments are going to do nothing to advance the work product of almost 3 million Americans--none of them. We should invoke cloture. I ask my Republican colleagues: Break this impasse…

following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour. The majority will control the first half, Republicans the second half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1813…

H.R. 1837 is at the desk and due for a second reading. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 1837) to address certain water-related concerns on the…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. 2153. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2153) to apply the…

following leader remarks the Senate will be in a period of morning business. The filing deadline for first-degree amendments to the surface transportation bill is 4 o'clock today. There will be no votes today. The first vote of the week…

56 years ago it took President Eisenhower a year to convince Congress and the country to make an unprecedented investment in America's highway system. After all, building 47,000 miles of interstate highways across the Nation would require…

I ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times and passed; that when the Senate receives H.R. 4105 and, if it is identical to the text of S. 2153, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4105, the bill be read a…

this is an extremely important piece of legislation we just adopted. It has had bipartisan support and we were able to do it quickly. We had hoped the House--and I am confident they will--would follow our example in passing this bill…

I object to any further proceedings on the legislation at this time. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bill will be placed on the calendar. ____________________

I visited Congressman Payne on Saturday at the hospital and talked to his brother, who said leaders throughout the world had been calling to inquire as to how he was.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donald's beloved children and his entire family and all of those who were touched by him throughout his life.

In the end Congressman Payne will be remembered for the dignity and honor he brought to this institution and the Congress and the district he represented, always putting the interests of the community, New Jersey, and humanity first…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Rockefeller). Without objection, it is so ordered. Senior Members Presiding

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 assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the…

I ask unanimous consent that the clerks be authorized to modify the instruction lines on any amendments currently filed in order to match the page and line numbers on the pending Reid of Nevada amendment No. 1761, and that those amendments…

I have a second 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 assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion…

I am very happy to see you here this morning. It is not often that we get our senior Members to preside, and we appreciate it very much. ____________________

this is a new year, and thankfully it has brought new signs of economic recovery--not as vibrant as we would like but some recovery--but it will never be good enough while we have millions of Americans unemployed in this country. As we say…