Political Quotes

“today we are resuming our work on the Department of Defense authorization bill. This afternoon provides a good opportunity for Senators to come to the floor and offer Defense- related amendments. Under last week's order, at 4 o'clock today the Senate will proceed to executive session to begin consideration of Sandra Ikuta to be a circuit court judge for the Ninth Circuit. We have allocated an hour of debate on the nomination and, therefore, the vote will occur at 5 p.m. on the Ikuta nomination. Tomorrow we will return to Defense authorization again. I encourage Members to work with the two bill managers to determine the best time to debate their amendments. I hope the Senate will maintain focus on the pending issue of authorizing appropriations for our military activities. We can complete this bill in a reasonable period of time this week if Senators will work with the chairman and ranking member on relevant amendments. Our two managers have a great deal of experience in shepherding this bill through on the floor and have already done a great job working together to clear amendments on both sides of the aisle. Having said that, I look forward to moving forward on this bill and completing our work on it at the earliest possible time. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”