Arlen Specter

If I may be recognized very briefly. I know the remainder of the time is reserved for Senator Kennedy. We are 16 minutes away from 4:05 p.m.

So that there will be no doubt and all Senators will be on notice, we will start the vote at 4:15, and the first vote will be 15 minutes, with 5 minutes additional, limited to 20 minutes, and each vote thereafter will be 10 minutes with a…

I am advised further that as to 2260, where the Senator from Massachusetts had asked for some time to take a look at it, we have his assent at this time.

I have been advised by staff that this has been signed off by the Senator from Massachusetts as well as others. But of course, if he would like a chance to review it--

We would be glad to accommodate the senior Senator from Oklahoma. We can handle that amendment.

I think the idea offered by the Senator from Oklahoma, that all of the earmarks be specified in the conference report, is a very sound idea. The earmarks from this bill have traditionally and always have been properly identified. I am very…

Let us hold off on this. There may be some amendment on the Republican side. I doubt there will be, but I don't want to have a series of amendments on both sides. I think that would be agreeable, but I would not want to be bound to it at…

I think we have worked out a procedure where there will not be either a side-by-side or second-degree amendment offered. The Senator from Tennessee would like an opportunity to speak for 10 minutes on it, and we will hear Senator Alexander…

Under the regular order, we will then proceed to a vote, objection having been heard. We will entertain Senator Alexander's amendment at the earliest time the managers can. May I remind my colleagues that this is going to be a 15-minute…

It would be my preference to stack the votes, unless the Senator from West Virginia would like to have a vote now.

We may consume all the time until 12:30, but there is a possibility that we may not. So if any other Senator has an amendment to offer, I urge that Senator to come to the floor at this time so that we can utilize all of the floor time for…

Before Senator Durbin begins, may I again remind my colleagues at the conclusion of this debate, which I would expect to be somewhere in the nature of 20 minutes, we will proceed to a rollcall vote. We expect it to be 15 and 5, limited to…

I put all Senators on notice that we will soon be starting the debate on an amendment to be offered by Senator Durbin. We had expected to go on the bill at 10, with morning business scheduled from 9:30 to 10, but morning business has run a…

Senator Harkin just called my attention to the fact that a quorum call has been underway for a protracted period of time. Senator Harkin and I are very much opposed to quorum calls during our watch. I ask Senator Harkin if it is too early…

If we have third reading, we will not need a cloture motion. I am persuaded by the eloquence of the Senator's argument.

I say, this is a license for Senators not to bring amendments to the floor on this bill, but this license is short lived. It is not going to last too long. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro…

I have been asked by the distinguished majority leader to propound a unanimous consent request. ____________________

Miers told him that she agrees with the legal precedent for Roe versus Wade.

We can work that out, Mr. President. I yield to the Senator from Iowa. I yield the floor so he can have the floor.

Well, I have no present intention of supporting the amendment. I would like to try to find a way to resolve the issue substantively. But it is not an infrequent occurrence that the House leaves town and leaves us with a gun at our head…

When the Senator from Alaska comments that the States can put up some money so there would be no shortfall in the interim until November 18, what assurances are there that that could happen, that they have the funds and the disposition to…

I thank the Chair, yield the floor, and, in the absence of any Senator seeking recognition, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. DeWine). The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to…

I assure my colleagues and my constituents that I will be monitoring this situation as the current mercury rule is litigated in the court system and as EPA considers further mercury emission control options.

Here's a man who really knows science and who really knows government. So it's a very, very profound change. It's an earthquake.

It would be hard to find someone with better credentials than Judge Roberts.