Floor Statements

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 221; that the Senate proceed to vote with no intervening action or debate; the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bills en bloc: Calendar No. 71, H.R. 267, and Calendar No. 72, H.R. 678.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the bills be read a third time and passed en bloc, and that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 155, H.R. 1171.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1344, and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I further ask that the Pryor substitute amendment which is at the desk be agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed, and that any motions to reconsider be considered made, with no intervening action or debate.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2576.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to H. Con. Res. 41.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 109, S. 256.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar Nos. 156 through 160, all post office naming bills en bloc.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read a third time and passed en bloc, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 199, and the Senate proceed to its consideration.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 216.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 217.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I understand the Chair, as previously authorized, is now ready to appoint the conferees to H.R. 2642.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses or by order of the Senate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the Senate's recess, committees be authorized to report legislative matters and executive matters on Wednesday, September 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment or recess of the Senate Thursday, August 1, through Monday, September 9, Senators Cardin and Levin be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions.

Madam President, there are two things I wish to mention before we close.

First, the Presiding Officer has worked for years on an energy efficiency bill. We are finally going to be able to get to that. This is the first Energy bill we have had in, I think, 5 years.

It is a bipartisan piece of legislation, but the impetus behind this legislation is this Presiding Officer. I commend her, applaud her, and recognize how fortunate the people of New Hampshire are to have her as a Senator.

I also wish to mention the pages. This is their last day here. They have done a wonderful job. They do so much for us. There isn't a day goes by that they don't do something for me. I am sure the Senate feels the same way. I hope it has been a good experience for them.

I have had three grandchildren who have been pages, and it a great experience for them. I am confident the others feel the same way.