Floor Statements

There is a cloture motion on file at the desk and I ask that it be reported.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

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

Madam President, fans of the popular reality television series ``Wild Kingdom'' may recall watching Stan Brock wrestle giant anacondas in the Amazon and corral wildebeests in the Serengeti, but for the past three decades, he has been engaged in a very different kind of struggle. In 1985, he founded a nonprofit organization known as Remote Area Medical, RAM, with the stated goal of ``addressing the needless pain and suffering caused by the lack of healthcare in impoverished, underserved, and isolated areas.'' Since its inception, RAM has hosted 724 free medical events in which over 80,000 volunteers have delivered $75 million in free medical, dental and vision care. It is not uncommon for patients to travel hundreds of miles to attend one of these events or to sleep in their cars while they wait for the free clinics to open.

Last month, I had the opportunity to witness RAM in action when they held a 3-day medical event at Hug High School in Reno, NV. In the short time I was there, I saw hundreds of Nevadans filter through the clinic to receive much needed dental work, vaccinations, eye exams, free glasses, mental health screenings, and general medical work ups--all with short waits and at no cost to the patients. The patients attending the clinic were so grateful to finally receive a much needed x ray, pair of glasses, and many other services. I spoke with many of the volunteers--doctors, nurses, dentists--and they were all thrilled to be a part something so meaningful that fills a void for individuals who have no other way to access some of these critical services. A similar scene played out in Las Vegas earlier in the month, where RAM held a 2- day event at Bonanza High School. In total, the RAM team of 597 volunteers served 1,712 patients and provided almost one-half million dollars in care during their two expeditions in Nevada last month.

RAM was able to bring these events to Nevada because it is one of only a few States that allows licensed medical professionals from other States to volunteer at free medical services events. I have witnessed firsthand the value of these events--both for the patients they serve and for those volunteers who want to find a way to donate their professional expertise in a meaningful way. That is why I am convinced that we need Federal legislation that will allow medical practitioners to cross State lines to provide free volunteer care. Senator Boxer has been working to craft such legislation, and I look forward to supporting her in this effort.

Stan Brock's work has been exemplary. Through his efforts, hundreds of thousands of people in need of have received proper healthcare--some for the first time in their lives. My own appreciation for RAM was cemented as I personally witnessed this noble work. Watching Stan and his team work together to help so many unfortunate Nevadans was a moving experience for me. I thank Stan Brock, RAM, and all of the selfless volunteers for giving so much of themselves to those with so little.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I move to proceed to legislative session.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

There is a cloture motion at the desk on file with the clerk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, there is a cloture motion filed at the desk. I ask that it be reported.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, and all nominations placed on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; 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; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 342.

Madam President, I ask that H.R. 724 be read a third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following items en bloc: Calendar No. 360, H.R. 862; and Calendar No. 123, H.R. 316.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment to H.R. 316 be agreed to; that the bills, as amended, where amended, be read a third time and passed en bloc; and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.