Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider en bloc Calendar Nos. 959, 960, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1094, 1095, 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100 and 1101; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President of the United States be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consider en bloc Executive Calendar Nos. 809, 1019, 1027, 1028, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048, 1049, 1050, 1053, 1055 to and including 1057, 1059 to and including 1081, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, and Navy; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; that no further motions be in order; that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consider en bloc the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: No. 883, J. Michelle Childs to be a United States District Judge;

No. 884, Richard Gergel to be a United States District Judge--both of these judges are from the State of South Carolina--No. 893, Leonard Stark to be a United States District Judge for the District of Delaware; and No. 657, James Wynn, to be a United States Circuit Judge; that the Senate proceed to vote en bloc on the nominations; that upon confirmation, the motions to reconsider be made and laid upon the table; that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that at 3:30 p.m., Monday, September 13, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 552, the nomination of Jane Stranch to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; that there be 2 hours of debate with respect to the nomination, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees; that at 5:30 p.m. on that date, the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination; that upon confirmation, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President of the United States be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding an adjournment/recess of the Senate, that all nominations currently in committee or on the calendar remain in status quo, notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXXI, paragraph 6, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, except the following: Calendar Nos. 404, 591, 688, 696, 697, 698, 891; 933, 958, 1008; and the following in committee: PN797, PN1644, PN1024, PN1651, PN1631, and PN1987.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, following consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session and consider Calendar No. 886, Kimberly Mueller to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California; that there be 1 hour of debate with respect to the nomination, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination; that upon confirmation, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, what is the pending business?

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all pending amendments and the motion be withdrawn.

Mr. President, I call up the Baucus-Landrieu-Reid substitute amendment which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I now ask to be reported the Bill Nelson first-degree amendment which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I now call up the Johanns amendment No. 4596.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I have an amendment to the language proposed to be stricken and ask for its consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I now have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I have four cloture motions at the desk: on the Johanns second-degree amendment, the Nelson first-degree amendment, the substitute, and the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls be waived.

Mr. President, I have a motion to commit with instructions at the desk, and I ask that it be stated.

Mr. President, I now ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding an adjournment or recess of the Senate, Senate committees may file reported legislative and Executive Calendar business on Thursday, September 2, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President of the Senate 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.

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 ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider en bloc Calendar Nos. 1025, 1026, and 1029; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; further, that the action under rule XXXI reflect that Calendar No. 948 should be included, not 958; and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 232, H.R. 511.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements on this matter be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to Calendar No. 429.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed; a motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; there be no intervening action or debate; and any statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to Calendar No. 456.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to Calendar No. 485.

Mr. President, before we move forward with this matter, there is a stunningly powerful new book out, the name of which is ``Freedom Summer.'' This book is so very vivid in talking about the summer that the young men and women from around the United States went to Mississippi to get the African Americans to be able to vote. These three young men were killed--two Caucasians and one African American-- for the work they were doing to try to bring the ability of African Americans to vote in Mississippi. It is a wonderful book. I recommend it to everyone, a brandnew book that is out.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed; the committee-reported title amendment be agreed to; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to Calendar No. 498.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed; the title amendment be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.