I would join the Senator from South Carolina in thanking Senator Levin, the chair of the Armed Services Committee, and Senator McCain, the ranking member, who worked closely with us. But I must say again, my good friend from South…

I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside, and amendment No. 1087, the Leahy FOIA amendment, be called up and then be set aside. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

I ask unanimous consent to call up the Leahy-Grassley amendment No. 1186, Fighting Fraud to Protect Taxpayers Act, and it then be set aside. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The…

I am proud to have joined once again with Senator Grassley to offer the bipartisan Fighting Fraud to Protect Taxpayers Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Combating fraud is a vital issue on which we have a long…

today I offer an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA, that would address an overbroad exemption to the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, contained in the bill. This amendment is supported by a broad coalition of open…

I would like to take this opportunity to honor a dear friend and native Vermonter, Dana Singiser. Dana has accepted the position of Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs for Planned Parenthood, and while I am sorry to see…

few things are more important to consumer well being than ensuring the safety of our pharmaceutical supply chain. Yet today, the penalties for counterfeit drug offenses are outdated and insufficient to deter this epidemic problem. As a…

this is on behalf of myself, Senators Graham, Rockefeller, Ayotte, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Scott Brown, Sherrod Brown, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coats, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Crapo…

Is the Senator from Colorado aware that the administration has raised real concerns--both DOD and the White House--saying that requiring the President to devise the kind of procedures discussed in this bill creates all kinds of problems…

Reserving the right to object, before we go into the series of speakers, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to just call up and then set aside amendment No. 1072, which is sponsored by myself and Senator Graham, and there is a list…

I thank my friend from Arizona. Amendment No. 1072 (Purpose: To enhance the national defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-State military…

Of course. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the motions to reconsider are considered made and laid upon the table and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's action. ____________________

I thank the Chair. After decades of doing this, I should have remembered, of course, we have to notify the President. I recall one day, when we went into the beginning of the session and swore in new Senators, one was the new Senator from…

With that, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 3 p.m. today. There being no objection, the Senate, at 12:50 p.m., recessed until 3 p.m. and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Medical Devices: Protecting Patients and Promoting Innovation''…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2011, at 3:15 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. subcommittee on crime…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on November 15, 2011, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on armed services

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk called the roll.

when the first nomination is called up, I will ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Sharon L. Gleason, of Alaska, to be United States District Judge for…

have the yeas and nays been ordered on the nominations? The PRESIDING OFFICER. They have not.

I see nobody on either side who wishes to speak. I ask unanimous consent all time be yielded back on the two nominations. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

just to notify other Senators, I am shortly going to suggest the absence of a quorum. I will then ask us to come out of the quorum at noon, and unless I hear that somebody wishes to speak on either of the nominees, I will then move that…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2011, to conduct a…