the issue before us is an issue we have addressed on the floor of the Senate. Republicans felt very strongly that these tax extenders need to be extended and brought them to the floor prior to our recess. Yes, they were coupled with two…

we began consideration of the very important port security bill on Thursday of last week, and earlier in the week we addressed the Department of Defense appropriations bill. We generally agreed as a body that we would address the security…

I will file a cloture motion tonight to ensure that we do get a vote this week. We will continue to consult with the managers on both sides, and if we can reach a reasonable agreement to bring the bill to a finish on Thursday, then I…

I ask for a division vote of the resolution of ratification. The PRESIDING OFFICER. A division has been requested. Senators in favor of the ratification of this treaty, please rise. Those opposed will rise and stand until counted. In the…

today, following 30 minutes set aside for morning business, we return to the port security legislation. Yesterday we were able to adopt the McCain rail security amendment, as amended, and today we have scheduled a vote, to begin at noon…

about an hour ago a number of Members of the House and the Senate, principally leadership, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony by the President at the Pentagon. The President has participated over the last 48 hours in similar events…

I ask for their second reading, and in order to place the bills on the calendar under rule XIV, I object to my own request en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bills will be read the second time on the next legislative…

I ask consent at 12 noon tomorrow the Senate proceed to a vote in relation to the DeMint amendment No. 4921, as amended; further, that notwithstanding the adoption of the amendment 4927, the second-degree amendment be modified to reflect a…

I unanimous consent that the Senate now 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. ____________________

with passage of the Department of Defense appropriations yesterday, we took another major step forward making America safer and more secure. We hit a few bumps and distractions along the way, but the end result was passing the Defense…

this morning we return to session for the consideration of the port security bill. Last night we were able to complete work on the Defense appropriations bill, with a final vote of 98 to 0 on passage. Following that vote, we began…

this morning the first 30 minutes of session will be devoted to a morning business period for Senators to make statements. Shortly after 10 a.m., we will resume our work on the Defense appropriations bill. We worked into the evening last…

on this last rollcall vote, No. 235, the distinguished Senator from New Mexico, the current chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the former long-serving chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator Pete Domenici, cast…

the next vote will be on passage of the Defense appropriations bill. I congratulate the managers. It has been a job well done. We are going to be on the port security bill tomorrow and on Monday. The managers are here, and they are ready…

just for the purpose of our colleagues' schedules, we will not be voting Monday evening. Monday is September 11. As we said, there will be an event here at 6 o'clock, and I encourage all our colleagues to participate. But a number of our…

In 5 days we will observe the fifth anniversary of the most vicious act of terror ever perpetrated on American soil. Nearly 3,000 fellow Americans lost their lives on September 11. We have worked tirelessly to make America safer from…

this morning we will have 30 minutes of morning business. Following that period, we will return to the Defense appropriations bill. We have three amendments pending on the bill at this time. We hope to lock in a vote in relation to the…

today we continued debate on the Department of Defense Appropriations bill that we started before the August recess. We have three amendments pending, and we expect to have more amendments offered tomorrow. Votes can be expected before the…

I have a short statement to make, and then I will reframe what I expect to happen over the course of this week and in the near future. Similar to many of my colleagues, I spent the month traveling the country. I began in Tennessee and…

as an additional reminder to Senators, this afternoon at 4:30 we will proceed to executive session for the consideration of Kimberly Ann Moore to be a U.S. circuit court judge. A vote will occur at 5:30 on the confirmation of this judicial…

it is getting late. It is now after midnight, and we have a little bit more work to do. While we gather the papers for that work, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk…

if I could have one minute. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

before we move to pass this bill, I, too, want to add my commendation, my thanks, my appreciation, my gratitude to Senator Santorum and Senator Dodd. I have had the opportunity to work almost daily with Senator Santorum on this particular…

I request to engage Senator Alexander in a colloquy about the costs and methods of managing waste on military bases. I ask my friend if he shares my conclusion that it would be prudent for the Department of Defense to consider a variety of…

I believe the various proposals are on the table in terms of how we might spend the next 24 hours. I will talk to the Democratic leader and we can talk to our colleagues. What I would suggest is that we turn the podium and the floor back…