I would be willing to get an amendment going, but I haven't seen it yet. I would like the ability to take a look at it, so I suggest the absence of a quorum. It will only be for a very few minutes--patience, please--and then we will come…

we have been working throughout the last vote. I am hoping we are getting to a very short list in the near future. I recognize there are Senators who are frustrated and that want an opportunity to speak out. I know there are a number of…

I can keep on standing all night. I am sure a number of Senators can. I do have respect for a number of our Senators here who may not be able to stand as long as some of us or who are elderly, and I would ask consideration of them. That is…

we do have a vote that needs to occur but a final word here. I would just say that we want to get a budget passed, and I know the minority wants us to pass a budget. We have been told that time and time again. We can't pass a budget if we…

before we go to the rollcall vote on this, I want to turn to all my colleagues and remind all of us that what we are here trying to do is to pass a budget out of the Senate. I have heard from so many people for so many months about how…

I am willing to accept this on a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 153) was agreed to. Amendment No. 136 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is now 2 minutes…

this actually is a commonsense approach, and I do urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I will be happy to accept it on a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there further debate? If not, the question is on agreeing to…

I was really trying to focus on what the Senator was saying. It was very difficult for me to understand, and I think many of us were confused about the amendment. I support the amendment, and I ask for a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT…

may I have the floor for a moment? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Washington.

I join my colleague in opposing this amendment. I ask for the yeas and nays. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call…

I am speaking for my counterpart. This is another deficit-neutral fund, which I know Senator Sessions has been expressing his concern about all evening. I am delighted to accept this amendment on a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro…

I believe that the next amendment in order is the Burr amendment No. 232. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is correct. The Senator from North Carolina.

I have looked at this amendment. I do have some concerns about the implementation, but I think we can work them out. I would be willing to accept this on a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the…

for the information of all Senators, we have had very good cooperation. We are working this list down. I have another unanimous consent request. I believe most of these will go by voice vote, and I appreciate everybody's cooperation…

I oppose this amendment. Malpractice premiums and claims and claim payouts have all gone down in recent years, partly as a result of steps many of our States have already taken. Caps on noneconomic damages limit compensation for such harms…

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 152 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is now 2 minutes equally divided prior to a vote in relation…

I ask for a voice vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 187) was rejected. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Kansas.

I will not oppose this amendment. I am delighted to see another deficit-neutral reserve fund put into place on this bill that I know my colleagues on the other side of this aisle have not been very happy about throughout the process. But…

I believe there is no opposition. We can take it by a voice vote. Senator Merkley has asked for a loud vote. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 696) was agreed to.

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 696 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is now 2 minutes equally divided prior to a vote in relation…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. There is a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call the roll…

I believe there is no opposition. If we could take a voice vote on this? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there any further debate? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 705) was agreed to. Amendment No…

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

has all time been used on our side? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Senator Murray has 30 seconds.

I ask unanimous consent the next amendments in order to be called up be the following: Cardin No. 706, Inhofe No. 359, Menendez No. 705, Sessions No. 614, Merkley No. 696, Roberts No. 187, Menendez No. 619, Portman No. 152; that there be…