there will be a Democrat caucus at 11 a.m. tomorrow. ____________________

the matter now before the Senate is still the pending matter we have been working on for several days. It is extremely important that everyone understands we have a message from the House, and if we are going to work something out, which…

as the clock ticks down to August 2, I want to remind everyone within the sound of my voice what is at stake. At this very moment, millions of seniors across this great country worry that their next Social Security check might not come to…

just as a side note, I am happy to see the second ranking Member of the Senate presiding. The people of Vermont are so fortunate to have the Senator and his wisdom. Mr. McCONNELL. If the Senator would yield, I expect he has not done that…

you can put lipstick on it, a nice suit, even a skirt sometimes, it is still a filibuster. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

first of all, it is unconscionable that the Republicans would filibuster legislation to prevent a default on national obligations. Frankly, it is unprecedented. Since 1962, Congress has raised the debt limit 74 times, including 18 times…

we are here today right now for this reason. It is spelled f-i-l-i-b-u-s-t-e-r--filibuster. There are delaying tactics proceeding right now. They will not allow us to have a vote, an up-or-down vote on our amendment, and this is a…

today the Speaker and Republican leader held a press conference to announce they are in talks with the President and that a bargain to raise the debt ceiling is in the works and is close. Mr. President, Members of the Senate, that is not…

I move to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators, and I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll and the following Senators entered the Chamber and answered to their names. [Quorum No. 5]…

I now ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 31; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

following any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S. 626, the legislative vehicle for the debt limit increase. The time from 1:30 to 8 p.m. will be equally divided…

a filibuster is known all over America as a way to stall, prevent votes. That is all this is about. If my Republican colleagues are so anxious to vote, let us have a vote. We would move this matter down the field very quickly. Finally, the…

we are here dealing with reality, not a world of fantasy. We are dealing with reality. The reality is, the debt ceiling is fast approaching, and we have to raise it or default on our debt. We have a matter before this body that would…

the President of the United States, in the presence of Senator McConnell, Senator Durbin, Senator Kyl, and the House leaders, said to all of us: No President in history has spent as much time as I have on a compliant basis--meaning with…

I believe my distinguished Republican friend must be a little bit confused because he is usually totally logical. He tells the American people this morning he was called to the White House last week and said: Mr. President, let us do the…

Republican leaders in the House of Representatives wasted this week pursuing a rightwing proposal they knew from the start could not pass the Senate. From the very beginning, Speaker Boehner's Band-Aid approach was fatally flawed. It would…

first of all--it will just take a moment, I say to the Presiding Officer--it is not often that we see the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee presiding. I am glad to see you here. You still know how to do it. I would…

first of all, I appreciate everyone's patience. It is one of the most difficult times we find in the history of our country. There are negotiations going on at the White House now on a solution that will avert the catastrophic default on…

Yes, I am happy to. Mr. McCONNELL. Then it proves my case, if that is the case. We cannot reach an agreement without the President. We tried to. I will concede the point. My friend says he didn't actually agree to that. I take his word for…

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 10:14 p.m., adjourned until Sunday, July 31, 2011, at 12 noon.

The rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S. 627 with the Reid amendment will occur at approximately 1 p.m. tomorrow. I note, Mr. President, if cloture is not invoked, the…

Well, I thought it would be nice to comment on the fact that is reserved for more junior Members. It is nice that my friend from Vermont would be here. ____________________

I ask for the yeas and nays on that motion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 592

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 593 to Amendment No. 592