under the order previously entered, it is my understanding when I have completed my remarks, Senator Wyden will be recognized. Is that correct? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

the first paragraph--and I am paraphrasing but not by very much--starts out by saying: You remember when you were growing up and you had this kid who was never happy? You couldn't win a game because he kept changing the rules in the middle…

I say to my friend, the answer is yes. Yesterday, I got a copy of an editorial from a newspaper in Nevada, a newspaper out of Fallon, NV. In 1998, I got 21 percent of the vote in that county. I have said before, a homeless person could…

I would answer to my friend, not only is there a suggestion about changing the rules, but they are going to do it by breaking the rules. To change a rule here in the Senate takes a simple majority. But if somebody wants to speak in an…

today the American people have spoken, and they have spoken very firmly. It should be a day of celebration in the United States Capitol. A few hours ago, we saw responsible Republican leaders in the House of Representatives come together…

I say in answer to my friend, I applaud, I commend the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the State of Illinois for realizing that what had gone on was wrong, and it is being changed as we speak. So the Speaker got the message…

Let me say to my friend, a perfect example of that is what is going on on the floor as we speak. One of our colleagues, the distinguished junior Senator from Indiana, Mr. Bayh, has an issue. He offered an amendment to this bill. The reason…

I have no problem with my friend speaking. My friend has to catch a train, and he has had unanimous consent to speak here for a long period of time. I think he should be able to go first. I object. I want my friend from Delaware to go…

I say to my friend, this was the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention, where these visionary men, our Founding Fathers, worked out the difference between the House and the Senate. They did this purposely and specifically…

I yield to my friend from Missouri--he has been patient-- for a question without my losing my right to the floor.

I am happy to answer a question. Mr. McCONNELL. Basically, what I want to do is not ask him a question, but allay his concerns about this being a slippery slope that would lead to the end of the legislative filibuster. We had that vote in…

I say to my friend that if a filibuster is OK for a person who is going to serve 4 years as a member of the President's Cabinet, or some lesser period of time, which is usually the case, why would it be wrong, for someone who is going to…

I say to my friend, I am not on the committee now, but I have been on the committee during a number of these highway bills. This highway bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that the Senate considers. One reason it is…

I would like to give a short speech, if the distinguished manager of the bill would not mind. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.

And my answer is yes, and I am going to get off the floor just as quickly as I can.

Not right now. When Senator Inhofe brings this bill to the floor, the highway bill, this bill is a free-for-all. That is what the Senate is. It is kind of a cluttered, clumsy procedure, but that is what the Senate is. I hope we are not an…

first of all, I have no problem with what I said. I believe we should have had some votes in the committee. Remember, 69 never even came before the committee. Following that, there should have been votes here on the floor. Remember, every…

I will speak briefly. If this time is taken from the time scheduled for a vote at 3:45, I ask unanimous consent whatever time I use extend the vote that amount of time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

we all have the good fortune of serving in this body with some outstanding men and women, but I don't think it is an exaggeration to say Dan Inouye is a step above us all. He is a man for whom I have the greatest admiration, for many…

I hope we will be able to work our way through this issue and come up with something appropriate and move on. We have a number of judges who are pending now. They should not have to wait around. In the situation we now have there is no…

on behalf of Senator Biden, I send an amendment to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid], for Mr. Biden, proposes an amendment numbered 440.

I send to the desk amendments on behalf of Mr. Durbin, No. 443; Mr. Bayh, No. 338; Mr. Biden, No. 537; and Mr. Feingold, No. 459; and I ask unanimous consent that they be set aside. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without…

the Senators from Illinois, Mr. Durbin and Mr. Obama, are necessarily absent today to attend the dedication and opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West…

I have an amendment that is pending. The distinguished majority leader will make the decision as to what votes are going to occur on Monday evening. I want to get my debate out of the way, hoping this amendment, which is probably germane…

I know the leader is planning on having votes on Monday night, and the distinguished whip will announce shortly that there will be multiple votes Monday night. I ask unanimous consent that there be no more than two votes Monday night. Mr…