Floor Statements

Madam President, for the information of Members, a number of Senators wanted us to start the vote earlier tonight, and we are happy to do that. For those who aren't going to arrive until 6 o'clock, we will drag the vote out so they will not miss it.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.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 the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration, and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 61.

Mr. 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.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 82.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 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 there then be a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the majority controlling the second half, and with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each; further, that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 1388, a bill to reauthorize and reform the national service laws, with the time running postcloture as provided under the previous order; finally, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

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

Mr. President, following leader remarks the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour. Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each up to that period of time. The majority will control the first 30 minutes, and Republicans will control the final 30 minutes.

Upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 146. We will vote in relation to the remaining three Coburn amendments around 11 a.m. today and on passage of the bill shortly thereafter.

At 2 o'clock this afternoon, the Senate will turn to executive session to consider the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Solicitor General of the United States. The agreement reached last night provides for up to 6 hours for debate prior to a vote on her confirmation. We anticipate the vote could occur in the 4:30 to 6 p.m. range. It is doubtful that all 6 hours will be needed for debate on the Solicitor General.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination of Elena Kagan, and that all debate time on the nomination be yielded back, except that the chairman and ranking member or their designees have 2 minutes each immediately prior to the vote; further, that all provisions of the previous order governing the nomination continue to be effective.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 1586, an act to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients, just received from the House and at the desk; that the Baucus-Grassley amendment, which is the text of S. 651, which was introduced today by Senators Baucus, Grassley, and others, be considered and agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, the bill, as amended, be read three times, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

Mr. President, before my friend leaves, I appreciate the statement of my friend from Arizona. At least he is willing to look at it and study it, and I appreciate that very much. The Republican leader in the House, of course, was opposed to it, so we are glad the Republican assistant leader, the Republican whip, as a member of the Finance Committee, will look at it. The bill has been filed on our side and, hopefully, we can work toward getting something done. I appreciate the statement of the Senator from Arizona.

I note the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to proceed to Calendar No. 35, H.R. 1388, the National Service Reauthorization Act.

Mr. President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 35, H.R. 1388, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote occur on Monday, March 23 at 6 p.m.; and that if cloture is invoked, then postcloture time count as if cloture had been invoked at 3 p.m. that day; further, that the mandatory quorum be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 25, 26, and nominations on the Secretary's desk; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related 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.

Mr. President, it is my understanding there are two bills at the desk due for a first reading. I therefore ask for their reading en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask for a second reading en bloc but object to my own request en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that we now proceed to S. Res. 80.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statement be printed in the Record.