the Vitter amendment pending before the Senate is another attempt to derail the progress we have made in a bipartisan fashion on the MilCon/VA bill. The Senate has voted twice on this issue during consideration of this bill. At the outset…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.

I ask unanimous consent to return to morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I would like to yield to Senator Kirk for any final remarks he may have. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.

I quote former Reagan Economic Adviser Bartlett on the House Republican plan. Distributionally, the Ryan plan is a monstrosity. The rich would receive huge tax cuts while the social safety net would be shredded to pay for them. Even as an…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Colorado…

as we begin our third day of debate on the Military Construction-VA appropriations bill, I would like to encourage my colleagues to file any amendments they may have as soon as possible, as we would like to begin disposing of amendments in…

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Collins be added as a cosponsor to amendment No. 556. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the bill be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. Wall Street Reform Mr. President, Thursday marks the first anniversary of President Obama signing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act into law. As chairman of the Banking Committee, I…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Executive Nomination Referral

I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 556 be modified with the modifications at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is so modified. The amendment, as modified, is as follows: On page 114 between lines 18 and 19, insert the…

as the Senate resumes consideration of the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, I wish to remind my colleagues of the important programs funded in this bill. This bill funds…

what is the pending amendment? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Johnson amendment. Amendment No. 556, as Modified

I ask unanimous consent that Senator McCaskill be added as a cosponsor to the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I was very pleased that the Senate recently acted to confirm the nomination of David Cohen to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. I would like to pose a brief parliamentary inquiry as a followup to the…

I thank the Senator for his courtesy and reserve the remainder of my time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

I am pleased to present the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and related agencies appropriations bill to the Senate. The bill was unanimously reported out of the committee on June 30. It is a fiscally disciplined…

I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside, and I call up my amendment No. 556, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of New Mexico.) Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 556

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

there is a cloture motion at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The assistant bill clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the…

I believe Senator Kirk would like to speak in favor of the motion to waive and I yield him as much time as he may consume. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: On page 114 between lines 18 and 19, insert the following: Sec. 301. Not…