thank you very much for your patience and also for being willing to be here when most are doing other things. ____________________

I am sorry. I may not have been listening closely enough. Did the Chair order the yeas and nays? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas and nays have been ordered. Amendment No. 584

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., on Tuesday, July 26; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

there will be a rollcall vote on the confirmation of the Engelmayer nomination tomorrow at approximately 12:15. ____________________

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 7:28 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 10 a.m…

I have a motion to commit the bill with instructions, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to commit the bill (S…

I have an amendment to the instructions 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 584 to the instructions…

every day people from across this great Nation around the globe come here to visit the Capitol--to see the seat of American democracy. Every day, those of us who are fortunate to have been elected by our home States to serve in Congress…

some of those dedicated police officers stood guard Saturday and Sunday as we worked to reach an agreement to avert a default on our national debt. Leaders in both parties were here throughout the weekend. Differences still separate our…

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. Amendment No. 585 To Amendment No. 584

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 585 to amendment No. 584. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.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

I ask unanimous consent that we proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. We will be in morning business until 7 o'clock tonight. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

what is the pending business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the pending business. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1323) to express the sense of the Senate on shared sacrifice in resolving the budget…

I ask unanimous consent to vitiate the action with respect to the pending amendments and motion to commit relative to S. 1323. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I now withdraw the pending motion to commit. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion is withdrawn.

I now withdraw the pending first-degree amendment No. 529. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is withdrawn. Amendment No. 581 (Purpose: To cut spending, maintain existing commitments, and for other purposes)

I have an amendment at the desk which is a perfecting amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 581. (The…

The yeas and nays are ordered, Mr. President? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas and nays are ordered. Amendment No. 582 To Amendment No. 581

Democrats will not vote for it.

We have an unusual situation. It looks nice outside today. The Sun is shining. But earlier today, if someone looked out the window, we had some violent storms. They are all over the area. We have Senators stuck in airplanes trying to get…

I would say, though, Anderson, it's worth pointing out back in December of 2010, Harry Reid had the opportunity to raise the debt ceiling.

I ask unanimous consent that two fellows in Senator Bingaman's office, Charlayne Hayling and Sandra Wilkniss, be granted floor privileges during consideration of H.R. 2560. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business until 2 p.m. today, with Senators permitted to speak during that time for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection…

the Senate just conducted a very important vote. We have now demonstrated that the House Republicans' cut, cap, and balance bill is over, done, and dead. This was a necessary step, and this step now allows the process to move forward. Let…