when Secretary Erickson steps down, so does the Assistant Secretary of the Senate Sheila Dwyer. Sheila has a long history in the U.S. Senate, but Sheila's time started long ago--and I am not going to talk about how long ago, but she was a…

following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979, which is the Defense authorization bill--a very important…

when the Senate convened for the first time in April of 1789, there was a lot to do--and that is an understatement--not the least of which was to establish a system of rules to govern proceedings in the U.S. Senate. The first few weeks and…

I ask unanimous consent that the Ayotte amendment, which is a substitute amendment, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDENT…

There is a cloture motion at the desk. I ask that the Chair order it reported. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The bill clerk read as follows…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2719 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection…

This vote we are about to have will be the last recorded vote of the day. Unanimous Consent Agreement--Executive Calendar I now ask unanimous consent that following the vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 1095, the Senate…

I ask for the yeas and nays on that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered. Amendment No. 3985 to Amendment No. 3984

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. 3988 to Amendment No. 3987

I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to concur in the House…

Following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30 a.m. this morning. At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will proceed to two rollcall votes on the Lodge and Walter nominations. If…

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. 3987

I have an amendment at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 3985 to amendment No. 3984. The amendment is as…

I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979, with a further amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to concur in the…

For the information of all Senators, these two nominations are Peter Michael McKinley to be Ambassador to the Republic of Afghanistan and Richard Rahul Verma to be Ambassador to India. We expect that the nominations will be considered and…

today for the first time the American people are going to learn the full truth about torture that took place under the CIA during the Bush administration. I have served for 22 years with the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Dianne…

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum required under rule XXII be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island. Tributes to Departing Senators

I don't like this bill. The White House doesn't like the bill. I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. ____________________

I have an amendment to the instructions which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment numbered 3987 to the…

what is the matter before the Senate? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is currently in a period of morning business for debate only. The majority leader. ____________________

I yield back the time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. Vote on McKinley Nomination The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Rockefeller-Tester substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and there be no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDENT pro tempore…

I ask unanimous consent that the commerce committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1204 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

I object to any further proceedings with respect to both of these bills. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bills will be placed on the calendar. ____________________

we note you open the Senate every day, but today you had a little extra something in your step and a gleam in your eye because of the guest Chaplain, who is your lovely wife Marcelle's brother, so I am glad you have had the chance to have…