I thank my colleague for sharing his insights. And certainly national security is extremely important. I obviously reach a different conclusion. I encourage my colleagues to support the amendment that Senator Lee and I have put forward…

is it time to speak to amendment No. 3435? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.

I thank my colleague from Oregon for spearheading this whole conversation about privacy and national security and how the two are not at war with each other. We are simply looking for appropriate warrant processes, an assurance to the…

I call up amendment No. 3367 and ask that it be further modified with the changes at the desk.

I thank my colleague from Oregon for being so deeply invested in the details of this over many years, utilizing a fierce advocacy in support of the fourth amendment and privacy to bring to these debates. I also thank the chair of the…

I rise in support of the Merkley-Lee amendment. I thank him for being lead cosponsor. I say to my colleagues, this is all about supporting the fourth amendment and opposing secret law. As we all know, in this Nation law consists of both…

I would like to thank very much Senator Blunt and Senator Stabenow, who have worked so hard to bring together a common vision in how we can address the terrible disasters of drought and wildfires that ravaged many parts of the country this…

I ask that Senator Blunt be added as a cosponsor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the amendment, as further modified. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from…

if there is no one else waiting to speak, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business and will yield when someone is ready, prepared to speak to the bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? The Senator from…

I rise to talk about the challenge of this Chamber being a Chamber that can deliberate and decide issues, the big issues facing America. I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone that the Senate, once famed as the world's greatest…

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 10:21 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, December 20, 2012, at 11 a.m.

I ask unanimous consent that the Veterans' Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4057 and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

I further ask the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table, without any intervening action or debate and any statement be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from the following postal naming bills en bloc and that the Senate proceed to their consideration en bloc: H.R. 3477, H.R. 3870, H.R. 3912…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2012; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour…

I ask for the regular order with respect to my amendment, No. 3367. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is now pending.

I ask unanimous consent that a Kohl-Lee substitute amendment which is at the desk be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 537, S. 2318. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2318) to authorize…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. 3698, which was submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 3698) to…

I ask unanimous consent the Veterans' Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 3202, and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the…

tonight we are wrapping up affairs here on the floor, and what is going on right now is that the main substitute amendment that had a whole series of other amendments attached to it that has been the result of the work over the last couple…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 493, H.R. 6029. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 6029) to amend title…

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 618 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read a third time and passed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and that any related statements be printed in the Record. The…

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