Floor Statements

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I understand there are two bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc.

I now ask for a second reading on both of these measures but object to my own request.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 401, S. 2142.

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to, the Menendez substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I now ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, December 9, 2014; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business for debate only until 10:30 a.m., as provided for under the previous order; and that the Senate recess from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, there will be two rollcall votes at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow on cloture on the Lodge and Walter nominations. The confirmation votes will occur at 6 p.m.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order.

Mr. President, I yield to my friend, the junior Senator from Iowa.

Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will proceed to executive session, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

At 10 a.m. the Senate will proceed to five rollcall votes on confirmation of Franklin Orr to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy; Joseph Hezir to be Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Energy; and cloture on the nominations of Gregory N. Stivers to be U.S. district judge for the Western District of Kentucky; Joseph F. Leeson to be U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Lydia Kay Griggsby to be a judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

There will be another series of up to six rollcall votes at 1:45 p.m.

Mr. President, a brief word. I was struck this morning by looking at the newspapers and listening to the news that:

Spending on health care in the United States grew in 2013

at the lowest rate since the Federal Government began

tracking it in 1960. . . .

It was the fifth straight year of exceptionally small

increases in the closely watched indicator. The data defied

critics who had said such growth would not continue for long

once the recession ended in mid-2009.

Health care spending was up last year but only 3.6 percent. It is very remarkable.

As I indicated:

The 3.6 percent increase in 2013 is the lowest increase on

record in the national health expenditures going back to

1960.

Mr. President, I want to join in the remarks of the distinguished Republican leader, but add to that that Stephanie is one of the funniest people Landra and I have ever known. She has a great sense of humor. What the Republican leader laid out is perfect, except this woman has a sense of humor that is really quite remarkable.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Yes, Mr. President.

I yield back all time.

There will be many remarks at the end of the year from Senators regarding Jay Rockefeller, but at this time I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to a period of morning business and Senators be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2366.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and any statements related to this bill be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4812 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.