I ask unanimous consent that pursuant to the order of July 21, 2011, and after having notified the Republican leader, we proceed, at 2 p.m. today, to executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 276, Robert S. Mueller III, of…

I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 1309 be discharged from the Committee on Banking and that it be returned to the House of Representatives pursuant to their message of July 25, 2011, requesting its return. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask for its second reading and, 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 bill will be read for the second time on the next…

I ask unanimous consent that the Environment and Public Works Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1406 and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk…

I am told there is a bill at the desk due for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1420) to require that the United States Government prioritize…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9:30, July 27; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill…

there has been a lot of talk in the last 24 hours about so-called dueling plans to raise the debt limit and avert a dangerous default to this nation's financial obligations. As far as I can tell, the only dueling going on in Washington…

I note that this courthouse is going to be named for our long-term colleague Kit Bond. That is very nice. He is a fine man. He served his State in many different ways. He was a Governor, a very popular Governor. He served as the ranking…

I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended until 5 o'clock and that I be recognized at 5 o'clock and that Senator Sessions be recognized for 10 minutes at this time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

I ask unanimous consent that three interns in Senator Bingaman's office, Nick Crismali, Rosy Ortega, and Emma Ruben, be granted floor privileges during today's business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so…

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 6:48 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at 9:30 a.m…

following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:15. The majority will control the first 30 minutes, the Republicans will control the second 30 minutes. At 12:15 p.m. the Senate will be in executive session to…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 111, S. 846. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Casey). The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 846) to designate the United States…

In my view, it is the most viable plan under consideration.

The United States defaulting on its commitments would have catastrophic global consequences. It is not an option.

I believe strongly that the federal government should balance its books.

We've also learned that the Boehner plan could trigger a downgrade of the United States' AAA credit rating.

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered.

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 582 to amendment No. 581. The…

following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30 this afternoon. At 3:40 p.m., the Senate will conduct a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of…

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.

what we have done is put in the process our efforts, sound legislation to end the budget crisis we are in. It, in effect, does everything the Republicans have asked. It is dollar-for- dollar; that is, it increases the amount of spending…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6 p.m., recessed subject to the call of the Chair and reassembled at 7:21 p.m. when called to order by…