There is no time for morning business this morning; is that true? The PRESIDENT pro tempore. There has been none requested.

I would first like to say we have just received word that Paul Sarbanes has been taken to the hospital. He was attending the funeral of Chairman Rodino in New Jersey. We hope that for him and Chris everything works out fine. But I think…

I once again want to persuade my Republican colleagues that the so-called nuclear option to break the Senate rules regarding judicial nominations is unnecessary and unwise. Earlier this week, I came to the floor of the Senate and offered…

in 2002 I co-sponsored, and Congress passed, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, commonly referred to as TRIA. This important legislation provided a government backstop for the terrorism insurance market that disappeared after the attacks of…

To the leader through the Chair, it is my understanding we will have a vote Monday night, and it will be one of the amendments on the list; is that right?

Senator Byrd, I feel this very way, very strongly. I say, respectfully, to a man who is the dean of the Senate today, has been in the Senate almost 50 years, who I have the widest respect for, we are not going to resolve this issue right…

Senator Byrd, if I could be rude and interrupt, through the Chair, without the Senator losing his right to the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I, frankly, wish I could spend more time on the most important highway bill. I was chairman of the full committee on two separate occasions, and I am interested in the jurisdiction of the highway bill. I am sorry my attention is diverted…

This was only a minor issue. What we have done, I say to my distinguished friend through the Chair, and my former leader, is that we have three judges, one for the DC Court of Appeals and two for Michigan, probably three for Michigan, who…

Further, Mr. President, we have been on this bill 2 weeks, but that is somewhat misleading because we have had so many other issues that have interrupted the discussion of this bill. The work on this bill is good. I compliment the managers…

I am grateful that the distinguished Republican leader would come to the floor of the Senate and acknowledge the people who look after us every day. The training of our Capitol Police force is exceptionally good. I was with them, as was…

I apologize for Senators having to wait for me. I want to begin by saying I support this legislation. I commend the work of the managers of the bill, Senator Cochran and Senator Byrd. I understand how essential this bill is to our troops…

There is no 10-minute rule unless it is ordered. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. That is correct.

I amend my request to ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Texas be recognized for 15 minutes and the Senator from Vermont be recognized for 15 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

I answer my friend: the answer is yes, even though this man is a controversial nominee. I know my distinguished friend, the senior Senator from Vermont, has on a number of occasions criticized this nomination. I have mentioned already a…

Let me say to my friend through the Chair, there is no question that Elana Kagan is qualified--she is the dean of the No. 1 rated law school in the country, No. 1. Yale and Stanford come close, but Harvard is the No. 1 law school in the…

Allen Snyder, this man clerked for Chief Justice Rehnquist. Again, there was not even the courtesy of having a vote in the committee. They come to the floor and cry crocodile tears about up-or- down votes. We would have taken a cloture…

Just so we have a general idea. I ask unanimous consent then that the normal 10-minute rule be waived for the distinguished Senator from Texas and that he have up to 15 minutes to speak as in morning business.

I have no problem voting on this Talent amendment. I am disappointed that we have not been able to clear a resolution expressing support for the withdrawal of troops from Georgia. The President is there today. I am so glad he is visiting…

what was the request? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Ordering the yeas and nays.

of the initial Bush nominees, the 10 or 11 we are talking about today, 8 have been confirmed; only 3 were not. Of course, one of those, Miguel Estrada, has not been renominated. Another, Terrence Boyle, has never been reported by the…

the answer is yes. As I said earlier, we know the difference between opposing nominees and blocking nominees. I believe this is the time to put all of this behind us. Eight years of President Clinton, four years of President Bush, let's…

We have no morning business today? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. That is correct.

I have finished my remarks. Thank you, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from Oregon is recognized for 10 minutes.

what is the order now before the Senate? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has the right to recognition.