Floor Statements

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, with the Baucus amendment, which is at the desk. I offer this on behalf of Senator Baucus.

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

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

Mr. President, I now call up the Baucus second-degree amendment.

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

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

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

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

On this, I ask for the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider, en bloc, Calendar Nos. 782, 953, 954, 955, 956, and 957; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc; that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business tonight, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 24; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and that following any leader remarks, the Senate proceed to a period of morning business for 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each during that time, with the majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the final 30 minutes; and that following morning business, the Senate resume the House message to accompany H.R. 4213.

Mr. President, I tell everyone that tomorrow we hope to reach an agreement to consider the Iran sanctions conference report. Senators should expect rollcall votes throughout the day.

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

Madam President, following leader remarks there will be a period for morning business until 12:30 p.m. today, with Senators being allowed during that period of time to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The majority will control the first 30 minutes, the Republicans will control the next hour, and then the majority will control the next 30 minutes, with the remaining time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

The Senate will recess at 12:30 until 2:15 for weekly caucus meetings.

Rollcall votes are still possible this afternoon.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to executive session to consider en bloc Executive Calendar Nos. 493, 494, 556, 581, 589, 590, 592, 647, 705, 722, 726, 747, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 794, 799, 800, 801, 824 to and including 830, 836 to and including 842, 844 to and including 848, 880, 881, 882, 902, 904 to and including 907, 908, 916, 923 to and including 928, 930, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 952 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in NOAA; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, that no further motions be in order, and any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.

Let me express my appreciation to our being able to work through some of these. There are quite a few left to go. The Secretary for the majority just indicated to me that there are some other names that will be cleared later today. So I appreciate this very much. This is going to be a step forward. These are all very important. This will allow these people to get their lives in order. There is no need to talk about why we did not have it done sooner. We did not. We have got it done now, and that is a step forward for the Senate and our country.

Madam President, the time for morning business has expired; is that right?

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I appreciate very much the understanding of my friends who have been here waiting to talk for several hours. I also announce that one of the reasons we are waiting is to determine if we need to have votes tonight. Everyone has been notified that we might have to have votes tonight, but it appears at this stage we will not. I have been in contact with the Republican leader and his staff. I think we will continue working through the night on some issues we are trying to deal with and worry about votes tomorrow.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to a period of morning business for 2\1/2\ hours, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senator Stabenow and the Republican leader or his designee, with Senator Stabenow controlling the first 60 minutes and the Republican leader or designee controlling the next 60 minutes, with Senator Stabenow controlling the final 15 minutes; further, that during the controlled period of time, Senators be permitted to enter into colloquies and at the end of the controlled time, the majority leader be recognized.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary work of Fred Anvil Newton III, who is retiring this week. During his 28 years with the Intergovernmental Program Office, his distinguished career elevated him to the highest levels of decisionmaking in one of our government's most sensitive programs. His work greatly enhanced the safety and security of the United States Senate, staff, and visitors.

Mr. Newton dedicated his professional life to mission accomplishment, while always ensuring that the people he led were well-trained and cared for. He managed resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Mr. Newton cultivated and maintained partnerships with the U.S. Capitol Police, the offices of the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms. Regarded as the dean of the continuity community, he has been at the forefront of strategic continuity planning and his innovative approach to problem solving has set the standard for many of today's continuity programs.

Mr. Newton has many significant accomplishments including the oversight, response, and mitigation of the effects of the public disclosure of a very sensitive national strategic continuity asset. He developed a new strategy for effective use of private sector assets in fulfilling a strategic continuity mission; the result being minimal cost to government and maximum flexibility for planners.

Mr. Newton provided advice and counsel to national level emergency managers attempting to mitigate and recover from the effects of a biological warfare attack on the United States Senate. Additionally, Mr. Newton held a great ability to identify subject matter experts, which significantly reduced recovery time and expense.

During his tenure, Mr. Newton oversaw the acquisition, staffing, and operation of multiple relocation assets in support of the strategic continuity mission. He also advocated and oversaw the development of a purpose-built tactical waterborne evacuation asset whose capabilities significantly enhance the efficient and timely movement of essential government personnel from threat zones.

He also oversaw a major chemical, biological, radiological and explosives defense effort protecting a highly symbolic national asset. This effort uniquely combines surveillance/identification technologies, defensive measures, and incident management and mitigation capabilities to form a standard by which other large-scale protective efforts are now measured.

I, along with my colleagues in the Senate, congratulate Fred on his well-deserved retirement. We wish Mr. Newton all the best in his future endeavors.

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

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

Mr. President, following leader remarks there will be a period for morning business until 5:15 today with Senators allowed during that period of time to talk for up to 10 minutes each. At that time, the Senate will turn to the Executive Calendar and debate until 6 o'clock. We will turn to executive session with debate until 6 p.m. equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees. At 6 p.m. the Senate will proceed to vote on the confirmation of Mark Goldsmith from Michigan, Marc Treadwell of Georgia, and Josephine Tucker of California, all to be district court judges.

This week the Senate could resume consideration of the tax extenders legislation or turn to FAA reauthorization, first responders collective bargaining, small business jobs bills or, if they are available, conference reports on the Wall Street reform, Iran sanctions, or the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.

I am told that H.R. 5297 is at the desk and due for a second reading.

Mr. President, I now object to any further proceedings on this matter.