| 00:00:14 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER. THE CHAPLAIN, DR. BARRY BLACK, WILL LEAD THE SENATE IN PRAYER. THE CHAPLAIN: LET US
|
| 00:00:29 |
THE CHAPLAIN, -
PRAY. GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS THE AUTHOR AND SUSTAINER OF OUR FAITH, THANK YOU FOR THIS FRESH START AS WE BEGIN THIS FALL SESSION OF THE U.S. SENATE....
|
| 00:02:02 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECITING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO...
|
| 00:02:32 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL READ A COMMUNICATION TO THE SENATE. THE CLERK: WASHINGTON
|
| 00:02:35 |
THE CLERK, -
D.C., SEPTEMBER 6, 2011. TO THE SENATE: UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 1, PARAGRAPH 3, OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE, I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLEJIM...
|
| 00:02:51 |
MR. REID, -
REID: MR. PRESIDENT? THE
|
| 00:02:52 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER. MR. REID:
|
| 00:02:56 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
FOLLOWING LEADER REMARKS THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO MORNING BUSINESS UNTIL 5:00 P.M. TODAY. DURING THAT TIME SENATORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK FOR UP...
|
| 00:17:31 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.
|
| 00:17:34 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
MR. McCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, IT'S GOOD TO SEE MY FRIEND, THE MAJORITY LEADER. I AGREE WITH HIM THAT I THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HERE...
|
| 00:39:09 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
OFFICER: UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER THE LEADERSHIP TIME IS RESERVED. UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER IS ?T ?ATH WILL BE IN MORNING BUSINESS UNTIL 5:00 P.M. WITH...
|
| 00:39:27 |
MR. KYL, -
CONSENT TO SPEAK FOR AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS
|
| 00:39:32 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THERE OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MR. KYL: I RISE TO
|
| 00:39:37 |
Kyl, Jon - U.S. Senator, [R] Arizona
URGE MY COLLEAGUES THE SUPPORT THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT. SOME OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES MAY TAKE ME FROM THE SENATE FLOOR DURING THE COMING...
|
| 00:59:40 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: QUORUM CALL: THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 01:03:14 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE LEADER. MR. REID: I ASK CONSENT THE
|
| 01:03:17 |
MR. REID, -
CALL OF THE QUORUM BE TERMINATED. THE
|
| 01:03:19 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT,
|
| 01:03:21 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
I WAS SADDENED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO TO HEAR OF A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE COMMITTED IN OUR CAPITAL AT CARSON CITY, NEVADA. IT WAS A RESTAURANT. ...
|
| 01:04:32 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. MR. REID: I
|
| 01:04:35 |
MR. REID, -
WITHDRAW THAT.
|
| 01:04:36 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. REID: MR.
|
| 01:04:38 |
MR. REID, -
PRESIDENT, I HAVE TWO UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET DURING TODAY'S SESSION. THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY SENATOR McCONNELL AND BY ME....
|
| 01:04:53 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. REID: I NOW NOTE THE
|
| 01:04:56 |
MR. REID, -
ABSENCE OF A QUORUM. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE
|
| 01:04:58 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: QUORUM CALL: . THERE.(FEOIBJ04B.ECL) . (FEOIBJ04B.ECL) . (FEOIBJ04B.ECL) . (FEOIBJ04B.ECL) QUORUM...
|
| 01:59:11 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT.
|
| 01:59:13 |
MR. SANDERS, -
MR. SANDERS: I ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED. THE PRESIDING
|
| 01:59:17 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
|
| 01:59:18 |
Sanders, Bernard "Bernie" - U.S. Senator, [I] Vermont
MR. SANDERS: MADAM PRESIDENT, AS I SUSPECT YOU KNOW, THE STATE OF VERMONT HAS BEEN HIT VERY, VERY HARD BY HURRICANE IRENE. THE STORM CAUSED WIDESPREAD...
|
| 02:05:38 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: QUORUM CALL: A SENATOR: MADAM PRESIDENT?
|
| 02:27:15 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE. A SENATOR: MADAM PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED. THE PRESIDING
|
| 02:27:21 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
|
| 02:27:22 |
Alexander, Lamar - U.S. Senator, [R] Tennessee
MR. ALEXANDER: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. MADAM PRESIDENT, LATER TODAY THE SENATE WILL CONSIDER THE NOMINATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF JUDGE BERNICE DONALD...
|
| 02:31:57 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 03:06:40 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM IOWA. MR. GRASSLEY: I ASK THAT
|
| 03:06:42 |
MR. GRASSLEY, -
THE CALL OF THE QUORUM BE SUSPENDED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 03:06:47 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. GRASSLEY:
|
| 03:06:48 |
MR. GRASSLEY, -
IS THERE A NOMINEE TO REPORT? THE
|
| 03:06:58 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: MORNING BUSINESS IS CLOSED. UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING NOMINATION,...
|
| 03:07:12 |
THE CLERK, -
THE JUDICIARY, BERNICE BOUIE DONALD OF TENNESSEE TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT. THE PRESIDING
|
| 03:07:18 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THERE WILL BE 30 MINUTES OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED IN THE USUAL FORM. MR.
|
| 03:07:22 |
MR. GRASSLEY, -
GRASSLEY: MR. PRESIDENT?
|
| 03:07:23 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IOWA. MR. GRASSLEY: I WOULD
|
| 03:07:25 |
Grassley, Charles "Chuck" E. - U.S. Senator, [R] Iowa
LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE NOMINATION OF BERNICE BOUIE DONALD AS A U.S. CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT. WITH TODAY'S VOTE, WE WILL HAVE CONFIRMED...
|
| 03:18:25 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR HAS FOUR MINUTES REMAINING. MR. GRASSLEY:
|
| 03:18:28 |
Grassley, Charles "Chuck" E. - U.S. Senator, [R] Iowa
OKAY. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT CLOTURE ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO H.R. 1249, THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICAN INVENTS ACT. THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION...
|
| 03:20:40 |
Leahy, Patrick J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Vermont
LEAHY: IF THE SENATOR WOULD YIELD ON THAT POINT, I WOULD TELL MY GOOD FRIEND FROM IOWA HOW TOUCHED I WAS WHEN I RECEIVED HIS EMAIL SAYING HOW THE PEOPLE...
|
| 03:22:01 |
MR. GRASSLEY, -
FLOOR. MR. LEAHY: MR. PRESIDENT.
|
| 03:22:02 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT. MR. LEAHY: MR. PRESIDENT,
|
| 03:22:05 |
Leahy, Patrick J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Vermont
WE'RE ON THE QUESTION OF THE FLOODING IN VERMONT. I WAS BORN IN VERMONT. I'VE LIVED THERE ALL MY LIFE. I LIVED ON A DIRT ROAD IN SMALL TOWN MIDDLESEX,...
|
| 03:29:15 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR HAS EIGHT MINUTES REMAINING. MR.
|
| 03:29:18 |
MR. LEAHY, -
LEAHY: HOW MUCH? THE PRESIDING
|
| 03:29:19 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: EIGHT MINUTES REMAINING. MR. LEAHY: I
|
| 03:29:21 |
MR. LEAHY, -
THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR, AND I ASK CONSENT THAT MY FULL STATEMENT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD PRAISING JUDGE DONALD AND URGING HER CONFIRMATION....
|
| 03:30:22 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. LEAHY: THE SENATE
|
| 03:30:30 |
MR. LEAHY, -
IS TODAY -- I ASK CONCEPT MY FULL STATEMENT BE MADE PART OF THE RECORD. THE PRESIDING
|
| 03:30:35 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. LEAHY: THE
|
| 03:30:38 |
Leahy, Patrick J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Vermont
SENATE TURNS ITS TENSION TO THE AMERICA INVENTS ACT, A MEASURE THAT WILL CREATE JOBS, AND PROMOTE INNOVATION WITHOUT ADDING A PEPPY TO THE DEFICIT. THIS...
|
| 03:35:46 |
Leahy, Patrick J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Vermont
IS THERE A SUFFICIENT SECOND? THERE APPEARS TO BE. IS ALL TIME YIELDED BACK? IF SO, THE QUESTION IS ON THE DONALD NOMINATION. THE YEAS AND NAYS HAVE...
|
| 04:03:05 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THERE ANY SENATORS WISHING TO VOTE OR TO CHANGE THEIR VOTE? IF NOT, ON THIS VOTE, THE AYES ARE 96, THE NAYS ARE 2. THE NOMINATION IS CONFIRMED. UNDER...
|
| 04:03:50 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE MOTION TO INVOKE CLOTURE. THE CLERK:
|
| 04:03:55 |
THE CLERK, -
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED SENATORS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 22 OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE HEREBY MOVE TO BRING TO A CLOSE THE DEBATE...
|
| 04:04:12 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
REFORM. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER. BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, THE MANDATORY QUORUM CALL HAS BEEN WAIVED. THE QUESTION IS IS IT...
|
| 04:24:57 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
ARE THERE ANY SENATORS WISHING TO VOTE OR TO CHANGE THEIR VOTE? IF NOT, THE YEAS ARE 93, THE NAYS ARE 5. 3/5 OF THE SENATORS DULY CHOSEN AND SWORN HAVING...
|
| 04:25:18 |
MR. BROWN, -
OHIO. MR. BROWN: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPOKE AS IF IN MORNING BUSINESS.
|
| 04:25:21 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER. PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OUT OF THE WELLS -- OUT OF THE WELL. THE SENATOR...
|
| 04:25:32 |
Brown, Sherrod - U.S. Senator, [D] Ohio
MR. BROWN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. YESTERDAY, ON LABOR DAY, I WAS IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, IT'S THE HOME OF -- HERALDED AS THE LARGEST LABOR DAY GATHERING...
|
| 04:26:44 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER. THE SENATOR FROM OHIO.
|
| 04:26:48 |
Brown, Sherrod - U.S. Senator, [D] Ohio
MR. BROWN: THANK YOU. I SAT DOWN AT THIS TABLE AND I SAID WHAT IS THIS NEW UNION CONTRACT MEAN TO YOU, TO THE WORKERS THERE? AND A 50-YEAR-OLD WOMAN...
|
| 04:36:14 |
MR. DURBIN, -
MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING
|
| 04:36:15 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. MR. DURBIN:
|
| 04:36:17 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM OHIO FOR HIGHLIGHTING WHAT HAS TO BE OUR FOCAL POINT AS WE RETURN TO THIS SENATE, AND THAT IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT PICTURE...
|
| 04:49:37 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT
|
| 04:49:38 |
MR. DURBIN, -
OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE SENATE PROCEED TO THE IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF SENATE RESOLUTION 257, SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY....
|
| 04:49:44 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT. THE CLERK: S. RES. 257,
|
| 04:49:48 |
THE CLERK, -
RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE MARK O. HATFIELD, FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR FOR THE STATE OF OREGON. THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 04:50:00 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE RESOLUTION. MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT,
|
| 04:50:03 |
MR. DURBIN, -
FIRST I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO BE ADDED AS A COSPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION.
|
| 04:50:07 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN: I
|
| 04:50:09 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO, THE PREAMBLE BE AGREED TO, THE MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE TABLE WITH NO INTERVENING ACTION...
|
| 04:50:20 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN: I UNDERSTAND
|
| 04:50:24 |
MR. DURBIN, -
THAT HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 66 INTRODUCED EARLIER TODAY IS AT THE DESK AND I ASK FOR ITS FIRST READING. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE
|
| 04:50:31 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
CLERK WILL REPORT. THE CLERK: H.J.
|
| 04:50:35 |
THE CLERK, -
RES. 66, APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN THE BURMESE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2003. MR. DURBIN: I NOW
|
| 04:50:44 |
MR. DURBIN, -
ASK FOR ITS SECOND READING AND WOULD OBJECT TO MY OWN REQUEST.
|
| 04:50:47 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE OBJECTION IS HEARD. THE BILL WILL HAVE ITS SECOND READING ON THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY. MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT, I
|
| 04:50:56 |
MR. DURBIN, -
ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE APPOINTMENTS AT THE DESK APPEAR SEPARATELY IN THE RECORD AS IF MADE BY THE CHAIR. THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 04:51:01 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN:
|
| 04:51:02 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT WHEN THE SENATE COMPLETES ITS BUSINESS TODAY IT ADJOURN UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. THAT FOLLOWING THE PRAYER...
|
| 04:52:04 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN:
|
| 04:52:06 |
MR. DURBIN, -
MR. PRESIDENT, WE EXPECT TO BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF THE AMERICA INVENTS ACT WITH THE PATENT REFORM BILL DURING WEDNESDAY'S SESSION. SENATORS WILL BE NOTIFIED...
|
| 04:52:29 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE SENATE STANDS ADJOURNED UNTIL 10:00 A.M. TOMORROW. PURSUANT TO SENATE RESOLUTION 257, DOES SO AS A MARK OF FURTHER RESPECT...
|
NOTE: The transcript for this program was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.