Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, October 29, 2013; 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 consider the motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 26, as provided for under the previous order; and that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for our weekly caucus meetings; further, that following the disposition of S.J. Res. 26, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 344, the nomination of Richard Griffin to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, with up to 2 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form prior to the cloture vote on the nomination.

So, Mr. President, at 2:15 p.m. or thereabouts tomorrow we should have two rollcall votes.

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 now move to proceed to Calendar No. 211.

Following the remarks of the Republican leader and me the Senate will be in a period of morning business where Senators will be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each--or at least be in a situation where people can speak up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I am going to wait until Senator McConnell gets to the floor, so I will not give any long remarks here. In fact, I won't give any long remarks at any time, but I do have a few things to say.

Recognition of the Senate Chaplain

While we are waiting for Senator McConnell, I want to take this opportunity to say this. Admiral Black has, for me, during this long period of crisis we have had in the country, been a voice of stability and a voice of inspiration. I am being very selfish in saying me, because it has been so for the entire Senate and for the country. His heartfelt prayers are so timely and so sensitive to the needs of our country and the need we all have to call upon our spirituality to get us through periods of difficulty.

I can speak for the entire Senate when I say how much we admire and respect this good man, who is a counselor and as much a leader in the Senate as anyone who serves in this body.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, the eyes of the world have been on Washington all this week--and that is a gross understatement--and while they witnessed a great deal of political discord, today they will also see Congress reach a historic bipartisan agreement and avoid a default on the Nation's bills.

The compromise we reached will provide our economy with the stability it desperately needs. It is never easy for two sides to reach consensus. Sometimes it is harder than others. This time it was really hard. After weeks spent facing off across a partisan divide that often seemed too wide to cross, our country came to the brink of disaster. But in the end, political adversaries set aside their differences and disagreements to prevent that disaster.

I thank the Republican leader for his diligent efforts to reach this important agreement. The Republican leader's cooperation was essential to reach an accord to pass both Chambers of Congress and also be signed by President Obama.

As part of our agreement, in order to ensure Congress continues the work of setting this country on a path of fiscal sustainability, this legislation instructs leaders to name conferees to a budget conference committee that will set our country on a long-term path to fiscal sustainability. I know some say that is going to be hard. What we do is hard here, and this is really hard, but I think we can get it done. The committee members selected must have open minds, be willing to exert every option no matter how painful to their own political ideas and even their own political parties. This conference committee, led by Chairman Murray and Chairman Ryan--which will produce its negotiated budget resolution in December--is the appropriate place to discuss our different views and the best way to chart a course for economic growth.

This legislation also funds the government through January 15 and averts default through February 7, during which time we can work toward a long-term budget agreement that prevents these frequent crises. Perhaps most importantly, this legislation ends a

standoff that ground the work of Washington to a halt this fall.

This is not a time for pointing fingers or blame. This is a time of reconciliation. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of this great Capitol to pass this remarkable agreement which will protect the long-term health of our economy, avert a default on our Nation's debt, and allow us to set a foundation for economic expansion.

What we have done is sent a message to Americans from every one of our 50 States, but in addition to that, the citizens of every country and the world, that the United States lives up to its obligations. Now Congress must return to its most important job--fostering economic growth and protecting middle-class families.

I appreciate through all of this the steady hand of President Obama to help guide us to this conclusion. I am optimistic that the spirit of compromise which has taken root in the Senate over the last 2 days will endure.

I do know this: Senator McConnell and I have sat in very serious discussions the last few days, and we are going to do everything we can to change the atmosphere in the Senate and accomplish what needs to be done for our country.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 193, H.R. 2775; that the substitute amendment which is at the desk be agreed to; that a cloture motion on the bill, as amended, which is at the desk then be read; that the mandatory quorum required under rule XXII be waived; that no other amendments, points of order or motions be in order to the bill; that the Senate then proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill, as amended; that if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be yielded back, and the bill, as amended, be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended; that if the bill, as amended, is passed, a title amendment which is at the desk be agreed to; finally, that if cloture is not invoked, the action above with respect to the amendment to the bill be vitiated and the bill be returned to the calendar.

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

I unanimous consent to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 344.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived and that the Senate now resume legislative session.

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar No. 248, 331, 332, 333, 342, 345, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 360, 363, 364, 365, 366, 368, 369, 370, 373, 374, 375, and 376; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that any related statements be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN799, Michael P. O'Rielly, and that the nomination be placed on the Executive Calendar.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consider the following nomination under the Privileged section of the Executive Calendar: PN131; that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any related statements be printed in the Record; that President Obama be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration en bloc of the following resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 272, S. Res. 273, and S. Res. 274.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table on each of these three matters, with no intervening action or debate on any of them.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. Con. Res. 24.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, H.J. Res. 80, to my understanding, is due for a second reading.

I object to any further proceedings at this time.

I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment or recess of the Senate from Wednesday, October 16, through Monday, October 28, the majority leader and Senators Kaine and Rockefeller be authorized to sign bills or joint resolutions.