| 00:00:01 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER. THE CHAPLAIN DR. BARRY BLACK WILL LEAD THE SENATE IN PRAYER. THE CHAPLAIN: LET US
|
| 00:00:16 |
THE CHAPLAIN, -
PRAY. ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS DAY TO USE FOR YOUR GLORY. FROM THE MORNING SUN UNTIL THE GOING DOWN...
|
| 00:01:53 |
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 THE...
|
| 00:02:16 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
ALL. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL READ A COMMUNICATION TO THE SENATE. THE CLERK: WASHINGTON,
|
| 00:02:19 |
THE CLERK, -
D.C., DECEMBER 7, 2011. TO THE SENATE: UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 1, PARAGRAPH 3, OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE, I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLE...
|
| 00:02:40 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
REID: MADAM PRESIDENT. FOLLOWING LEADER REMARKS, THE SENATE WILL BE IN A PERIOD OF MORNING BUSINESS. THE REPUBLICANS WILL CONTROL THE FIRST 30 MINUTES,...
|
| 00:13:18 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE REPUBLICAN LEADER. MR. McCONNELL:
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| 00:13:20 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
AS THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS NOTED, TODAY IS THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. I THINK SEVERAL OF US -- I HAVE CERTAINLY HAD...
|
| 00:23:51 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER. MR. REID: I ASK THAT WE NOW MOR MOVE TO MORNING BUSINESS. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: UNDER
|
| 00:23:57 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PREVIOUS ORDER THE LEADERSHIP TIME IS RESERVED. UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF MORNING BUSINESS WITH SENATORS PERMITTED TO...
|
| 00:24:18 |
MR. REID, -
CALENDAR 241, S. 1944. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT MOTION. THE CLERK: MOTION TO PROCEED
|
| 00:24:23 |
THE CLERK, -
TO CALENDAR S. 1944, A BILL TO CREATE JOBS BY PROVIDING PAYROLL TAX RELIEF FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
|
| 00:24:36 |
MR. REID, -
MR. REID: I HAVE A CLOTURE MOTION AT THE DESK, MADAM PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE CLOTURE MOTION. THE CLERK: WE THE UNDERSIGNED...
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| 00:24:40 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
|
| 00:24:44 |
THE CLERK, -
|
| 00:25:05 |
MR. REID, -
|
| 00:25:10 |
MR. REID, -
|
| 00:25:16 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
|
| 00:25:27 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
|
| 00:25:30 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
|
| 00:25:33 |
MR. HOEVEN, -
BE GRANTED PERMISSION TO ENTER INTO A COLLOQUY WITH MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES DURING OUR MORNING BUSINESS TIME. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION....
|
| 00:25:43 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
HOEVEN: I RISE THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS THE NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT IN A COLLOQUY WITH MY COLLEAGUES JOINING ME WILL BE OUR LEADER, SENATOR...
|
| 00:28:29 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
MY UNDERSTANDING, IS IT NOT CORRECT, THAT THESE ARE NOT JOBS SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, THAT THESE ARE IN FACT JOBS JUST AS SOON AS THE PRESIDENT WOULD...
|
| 00:29:00 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
PROJECT THAT'S ABSOLUTELY READY TO GO, WILL NOT COST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONE PENNY, PUTS 20,000 WORKERS ON THE JOB RIGHT AWAY. AND THE HURDLE WAS...
|
| 00:29:37 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
WOULD SAY TO MY FRIEND, THE SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA IS ON THE FLOOR WITH US RIGHT NOW AND COULD FURTHER UNDERSCORE THAT THE PEOPLE OF NEBRASKA HAVING...
|
| 00:29:56 |
Johanns, Mike - U.S. Senator, [R] Nebraska
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY, MADAM PRESIDENT, TO RESPOND TO THE LEADER'S COMMENT AND HIS QUESTION. THE LEADER IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THE PEOPLE OF NEBRASKA...
|
| 00:32:06 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
ONE FURTHER QUESTION OF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SENATORS, SENATOR ISAKSON AS WELL? I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SUGGESTIONS THAT THERE MAY BE POLITICAL CONCERNS...
|
| 00:32:47 |
Johanns, Mike - U.S. Senator, [R] Nebraska
WORKED ON THIS ISSUE NOW FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, ACTUALLY A COUPLE OF YEARS. HERE'S THE SITUATION. THE UNIONS ARE READY TO GO TO WORK. I TALK TO THE...
|
| 00:34:10 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
I ASK THE SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA A FURTHER QUESTION? IT STRIKES -- IT STRIKES ME -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- THAT AMERICA NOT GOING FORWARD DOESN'T...
|
| 00:34:29 |
Johanns, Mike - U.S. Senator, [R] Nebraska
IN RESPONSE TO THE LEADER'S QUESTION, THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INDICATED THAT, LOOK, IF THE UNITED STATES ISN'T A RELIABLE PURCHASER AND...
|
| 00:35:49 |
McConnell, Mitch Jr. - U.S. Senator, [R] Kentucky
ONE FINAL OBSERVATION THEN I'M GOING TO LEAVE THE COLLOQUY TO ALL THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES. BUT IT STRIKES ME, AND I WONDER IF MY COLLEAGUES AGREE,...
|
| 00:36:24 |
Isakson, John "Johnny" - U.S. Senator, [R] Georgia
SENATOR HOEVEN FOR THE RECOGNITION AND I THANK THE LEADER FOR THE REMARKS. AND I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM WHAT THE LEADER SAID BY QUOTING FROM TWO RECENT...
|
| 00:37:44 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. HOEVEN: THANK YOU,
|
| 00:37:48 |
MR. HOEVEN, -
SENATOR ISAKSON. DID YOU HAVE SOME MORE YOU WANTED TO ADD? I KNOW YOU WANT TO LEAVE, AND ARE ON A TIGHT TIME LINE. MR. ISAKSON: ISAKSON:
|
| 00:37:59 |
MR. ISAKSON, -
JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. IT'S BEEN OUT STANDING. MR. HOEVEN:
|
| 00:38:02 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
THANK YOU, SENATOR ISAKSON. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. NOW I WILL TURN TO SENATOR HUTCHISON FROM TEXAS. WE HAVE ACTUALLY 40 SENATORS ALREADY ON THIS LEGISLATION....
|
| 00:39:09 |
Hutchison, Kay Bailey - U.S. Senator, [R] Texas
TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA, BECAUSE SENATOR HOEVEN HAS REALLY BEEN A LEADER IN THIS, KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT THIS FIND IS AND HOW MUCH MORE...
|
| 00:45:19 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
LIKE TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM TEXAS. SENATOR HUTCHISON IS, AS USUAL, NOT ONLY ELOQUENT BUT HAS HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. LOOK, WHETHER DB ACROSS OUR...
|
| 00:46:16 |
Inhofe, James M. - U.S. Senator, [R] Oklahoma
DO APPRECIATE THAT. AND I SOMETIMES -- SOMETIMES WE STAND ON THE FLOOR HERE AND WE TALK ABOUT JOBS. BUT YOU ARE THE EVIDENCE -- YOU KNOW, OKLAHOMA HAS...
|
| 00:50:10 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE ESTEEMED SENATOR FROM OKLAHOMA TO JUST TALK FOR A MINUTE ON THE SUBJECT OF HOW WE GET -- CREATE THAT ENVIRONMENT THAT GETS JOB...
|
| 00:52:27 |
Inhofe, James M. - U.S. Senator, [R] Oklahoma
IT IS. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S UNDERSTOOD. THE TERM "A NO BRAINER" HAS BEEN USED SEVERAL TILES BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK THIS THROUGH. ONE...
|
| 00:54:53 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
THE ESTEEMED SENATOR FROM OKLAHOMA. THAT REALLY IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. IT'S ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. IT'S ABOUT AMERICAN INGENUITY, PRIVATE...
|
| 00:55:35 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. MR. HOEVEN: THIS
|
| 00:55:37 |
Hoeven, John - U.S. Senator, [R] North Dakota
IS A PROJECT THAT REDUCES OUR DEPENDENCE ON OIL FROM THE MIDDLE EAST. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT PROVIDES BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AS WE'VE DESCRIBED....
|
| 00:56:05 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
|
| 00:56:07 |
MR. WHITEHOUSE, -
|
| 00:56:20 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
|
| 00:56:22 |
Whitehouse, Sheldon - U.S. Senator, [D] Rhode Island
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU. HE IS A FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL, FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL, AND FORMER STATE TREASURER OF OHIO. HE IS UNQUESTIONABLY...
|
| 01:05:30 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 01:05:41 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT. MR. BLUMENTHAL: I ASK THAT
|
| 01:05:44 |
MR. BLUMENTHAL, -
THE QUORUM CALL BE SUSPENDED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER:
|
| 01:05:47 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. BLUMENTHAL: THANK
|
| 01:05:49 |
Blumenthal, Richard - U.S. Senator, [D] Connecticut
YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I'M HONORED TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE REMARKS MADE BY MY COLLEAGUE FROM RHODE ISLAND WHO HAS EXPRESSED VERY ELOQUENTLY THE REASONS...
|
| 01:13:23 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: QUORUM CALL: THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA. MR. CASEY: THANK
|
| 01:24:39 |
MR. CASEY, -
YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD FIRST ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED.
|
| 01:24:42 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. CASEY: THANK
|
| 01:24:44 |
Casey, Bob - U.S. Senator, [D] Pennsylvania
YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I RISE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF THE PAYROLL TAX AND THE TAX CUT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ENACT. VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR...
|
| 01:36:01 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE SENATOR'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. MR. CASEY: I'D ASK FOR TWO MORE MINUTES. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. CASEY:
|
| 01:36:09 |
Casey, Bob - U.S. Senator, [D] Pennsylvania
HERE'S THE PERTINENT PART OF THIS LETTER. WE, MEANING THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, QUOTE, "WE ESTIMATE THAT THE PROJECTED LEVEL OF THE OLD AGE...
|
| 01:37:25 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IOWA IS RECOGNIZED. MR. GRASSLEY: BEFORE I SPEAK,
|
| 01:37:29 |
Grassley, Charles "Chuck" E. - U.S. Senator, [R] Iowa
I HAVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST THAT TY CROGIN AN INTERN IN SENATOR DeMINT'S OFFICE, BE GRANTED FLOOR PRIVILEGES FOR TODAY'S SESSION OF THE SENATE....
|
| 01:37:47 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. GRASSLEY: THE
|
| 01:37:52 |
Grassley, Charles "Chuck" E. - U.S. Senator, [R] Iowa
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS IS A DIVISION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS OPERATION FAST AND FURIOUS FOR...
|
| 01:47:50 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THERE OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MR. GRASSLEY:
|
| 01:47:52 |
MR. GRASSLEY, -
WE DO NOT KNOW WHETHER HE DID THAT IN ORDER TO ACCESS IT ON A LARGER SCREEN THAN A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED BLACKBERRY OR WHETHER HE ENGAGED IN ANY FURTHER...
|
| 01:52:48 |
Grassley, Charles "Chuck" E. - U.S. Senator, [R] Iowa
MR. GRASSLEY: THERE'S NO REASON TO CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME. I WAS RELYING ON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHER OFFICIALS AT THE DEPARTMENT...
|
| 01:53:38 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE IS RECOGNIZED. MR. CARPER:
|
| 01:53:40 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
MR. PRESIDENT, I'M DELIGHTED TO STAND BEFORE YOU ON THIS DELAWARE DAY 2011. THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY WHERE ON DECEMBER 7,1787, DELAWARE BECAME...
|
| 02:08:04 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE THE SENATOR FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED. MR. WEBB:
|
| 02:08:07 |
Webb, James "Jim" H. - U.S. Senator, [D] Virginia
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. MR. PRESIDENT, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY, EVEN AS I SPEAK, AT 00:07:45 IN HAWAII -- IT'S NOW ABOUT 8:40 IN THE MORNING -- OUR COUNTRY...
|
| 02:13:30 |
Cardin, Benjamin "Ben" L. - U.S. Senator, [D] Maryland
THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: QUORUM CALL: BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE LAST, WE HOPE, FEW DAYS BEFORE WE ADJOURN FOR THE HOLIDAYS. AND THERE'S...
|
| 02:25:21 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII IS
|
| 02:25:25 |
Inouye, Daniel K. - U.S. Senator, [D] Hawaii
RECOGNIZED. MR. INOUYE: MR. PRESIDENT, TODAY IS DECEMBER 7, 2011. 70 YEARS AGO SOMETHING HAPPENED IN PEARL HARBOR. I SHALL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY BECAUSE...
|
| 02:36:27 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM ARIZONA. MR. McCAIN: MR.
|
| 02:36:29 |
McCain, John S. III - U.S. Senator, [R] Arizona
PRESIDENT, I AM VERY MOVED BY THE WORDS OF THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII. NOT ONLY HIS WORDS BUT THE EXAMPLE THAT HE HAS SET TO ALL AMERICANS OF HEROISM AND...
|
| 02:37:14 |
MR. McCAIN, -
WOULD BE GLAD TO YIELD. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER. MR. REID:
|
| 02:37:17 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
MR. PRESIDENT, I, LIKE MY FRIEND FROM ARIZONA, COMPLIMENT MY FRIEND FROM HAWAII, BUT I THINK IT SPEAKS VOLUMES TO HEAR SENATOR JOHN McCAIN TALK ABOUT...
|
| 02:38:31 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM ARIZONA. MR. McCAIN: I AM
|
| 02:38:33 |
McCain, John S. III - U.S. Senator, [R] Arizona
DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE KIND AND UNDESERVED WORDS OF MY OLD FRIEND OF MANY, MANY YEARS, THE DISTINGUISHED MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE HAD OUR -- WE HAVE...
|
| 02:39:26 |
Reid, Harry - U.S. Senator, [D] Nevada
I APPRECIATE THE HUMILITY OF MY FRIEND. I HAVE HEARD HIM SAY WORDS TO THIS EFFECT BEFORE, AND THAT'S -- THE FACT IS THAT WHAT HE DID AFTER THE PLANE...
|
| 02:39:50 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ARIZONA. MR. McCAIN:
|
| 02:39:52 |
MR. McCAIN, -
THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, SKI TO SPEAK IN MORNING BUSINESS. THE PRESIDING
|
| 02:39:55 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR IS RECOGNIZED. MR. McCAIN: I RISE TO
|
| 02:39:58 |
McCain, John S. III - U.S. Senator, [R] Arizona
SPEAK ABOUT RUSSIA AND TO REVIEW PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT ELECTION IN RUSSIA AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE AND REVIEW THE STATE OF WHAT...
|
| 03:00:21 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATOR IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL MINUTES.
|
| 03:00:24 |
McCain, John S. III - U.S. Senator, [R] Arizona
MR. McCAIN: MR. PRESIDENT, THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR, I HAVE SAID THAT THE DEMAND FOR DIGNITY AND JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY THAT IS SHAKING THE ARAB WORLD TO ITS...
|
| 03:04:22 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII.
|
| 03:04:24 |
Inouye, Daniel K. - U.S. Senator, [D] Hawaii
MR. INOUYE: MR. PRESIDENT, I WISH TO THANK MY MOST DISTINGUISHED FRIEND FROM ARIZONA FOR HIS GENEROUS, WARM, AND FRIENDLY REMARKS. THEY MEAN A LOT TO...
|
| 03:04:56 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT'S RECOGNIZED. MR. SANDERS:
|
| 03:04:58 |
Sanders, Bernard "Bernie" - U.S. Senator, [I] Vermont
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. MR. PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT AN ISSUE OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF VERMONT AND...
|
| 03:13:10 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL OF THE SENATE. QUORUM CALL: S RECOGNIZE. MR. DURBIN: ASK
|
| 03:14:27 |
MR. DURBIN, -
CONSENT THE QUORUM CALL BE SUSPENDED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN: AND CONSENT
|
| 03:14:31 |
MR. DURBIN, -
TO SPEAK AS IF IN MORNING BUSINESS. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR IS RECOGNIZED. MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT,
|
| 03:14:35 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
IN THE SCHOOL YEAR 2009 AND 2010, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDED $132 BILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS TO STUDENTS. THAT WAS UP FROM $49 BILLION...
|
| 03:34:36 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT -- EXCUSE ME. I SEE THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA IS HERE. IS IT ALL RIGHT FOR ME TO CONTINUE WITH THIS...
|
| 03:34:37 |
Durbin, Richard "Dick" J. - U.S. Senator, [D] Illinois
YEAR TO CONSOLIDATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY UNDER ONE AGENCY, THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU. THE CFPB WAS GIVEN NEW RESPONSIBILITIES...
|
| 03:42:29 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: STPHOUPL SOUTH DAKOTA. MR. THUNE: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPEAK IN MORNING BUSINESS AND THAT SENATOR BARRASSO...
|
| 03:42:43 |
Thune, John R. - U.S. Senator, [R] South Dakota
THUNE: MR. PRESIDENT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID REPEATEDLY THAT HE MAKES JOB CREATION HIS TOP PRIORITY. HE WAKES UP EVERY MORNING ...
|
| 03:43:10 |
Thune, John R. - U.S. Senator, [R] South Dakota
THE QUESTION: WHY THAT IS? I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY A NUMBER OF REASONS, MOST OF WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH POLITICS AND NOT THE ECONOMY AND NOT JOBS,...
|
| 03:56:12 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM WYOMING. MR. BARRASSO:
|
| 03:56:14 |
Barrasso, John A. - U.S. Senator, [R] Wyoming
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT. MR. PRESIDENT, I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY AS I HAVE SO MANY TIMES SINCE THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE BILL WAS SIGNED...
|
| 04:07:03 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING
|
| 04:23:23 |
Franken, Al - U.S. Senator, [D] Minnesota
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA. MR. FRANKEN:I ASK THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED. I RISE TODAY TO STRONGLY SUPPORT RICHARD CORDRAY, THE PRESIDENT'S...
|
| 04:32:39 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
QUORUM. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: ER: THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM DELAWARE.
|
| 05:10:51 |
MR. CARPER, -
MR. CARPER: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. CARPER: MR. PRESIDENT,
|
| 05:10:56 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
TODAY IS DELAWARE DAY. SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE AND OUR NATION OCCURRED DECEMBER 7, 1787. SENATOR COONS IS HERE. I JUST WANT TO ASK HIM TO...
|
| 05:11:19 |
Coons, Chris - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
MR. COONS: IT'S GREAT TO ENTER INTO THIS COLLOQUY ABOUT DELAWARE DAY. AS SOME FOLKS MAY KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DELAWARE FLAG, THERE IS THE DATE, DECEMBER...
|
| 05:11:44 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
STATE. SMALL WONDER. THE GUYS WHO WERE THERE THAT DAY, 30 OF THEM, HAD BEEN THERE FOR THREE DAYS. I LIKE TO SAY THEY WERE DRINKING HOT CHOCOLATE AT THE...
|
| 05:12:12 |
Coons, Chris - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
WELL, SENATOR, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN STRUCK BY IS THAT IT WAS 11 YEARS BEFORE THAT THAT DELAWARE ACTUALLY ON SEPARATION DAY, ON JUNE...
|
| 05:13:22 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
CARPER: THAT CONSTITUTION THAT WAS RATIFIED THAT DAY, THINK ABOUT IT, THE MOST ENDURING CONSTITUTION OF ANY NATION ON EARTH, THE MOST COPIED OR EMULATED...
|
| 05:14:01 |
Coons, Chris - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
MR. COONS: MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR DELEGATION TO BE REPRESENTED IN PHILADELPHIA AND FOR US TO COMMIT TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY BREAKING...
|
| 05:14:16 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
BACK OF THE DELAWARE COIN, YOU SAY WHY IS PAUL REVERE ON THE BACK OF THE COIN? THAT'S NOT PAUL REVERE. THAT'S CAESAR RODNEY. FOR PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH...
|
| 05:15:20 |
MR. COONS, -
COONS: WE HAVE THIS SENIOR SENATOR WHO IS TIRELESS IN HIS EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY. MR. CARPER:
|
| 05:15:26 |
MR. CARPER, -
MAYBE WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. INCLUDING THE PRESIDING OFFICER THERE FROM NORTH CAROLINA, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE ECONOMIC VALUE FOR THE NATIONAL...
|
| 05:15:54 |
Coons, Chris - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
WE'RE HAVING OUR FIRST DELAWARE DAY RECEPTION HERE IN ONE OF THE SENATE BUILDINGS, IT'S A WAY FOR TO US PROMOTE AND CELEBRATE BE A WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT...
|
| 05:17:07 |
Carper, Thomas "Tom" R. - U.S. Senator, [D] Delaware
WE CALL THIS THE DELAWARE WAY. AS MY COLLEAGUE FROM WHAT DELAWARE KNOW, WHEN I RUN INTO PEOPLE, WHAT'S THE SECRET FOR BEING MARRIED 50 OR 60 OR 70...
|
| 05:18:19 |
MR. CARPER, -
WOULD NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
|
| 05:18:21 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: A SENATOR: MADAM PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDING
|
| 05:23:06 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IOWA. MR.
|
| 05:23:10 |
MR. HARKIN, -
HARKIN: I ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE RESCINDED.
|
| 05:23:14 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. HARKIN: I ASK THAT
|
| 05:23:18 |
Harkin, Thomas "Tom" - U.S. Senator, [D] Iowa
ASHLEY STEVENS AND ANNA AESTEN BE GRANTED FLOOR PRIVILEGES FOR THE REST OF TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
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| 05:23:25 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. HARKIN: I'VEDOM
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| 05:23:27 |
Harkin, Thomas "Tom" - U.S. Senator, [D] Iowa
TO THE FLOOR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO DISCUSS THE DISTRESSED STATE OF AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS. IN OUR COMMITTEE WE'VE HAD A SERIES OF HEARINGS LOOK AT...
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| 05:33:13 |
Wicker, Roger - U.S. Senator, [R] Mississippi
MR. WICKER: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. WE ARE NOW AS A COUNTRY SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OBAMA ECONOMY. IT IS A PERIOD OF SLOW GROWTH, PERSISTENTLY...
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| 05:43:09 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA. MR. VITTER:
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| 05:43:11 |
Vitter, David - U.S. Senator, [R] Louisiana
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. MR. PRESIDENT, LAST WEEK I CAME TO THE FLOOR AND URGED ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO COME TOGETHER IN...
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| 05:45:30 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE MEASURE. THE CLERK: S. 1958,
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| 05:45:33 |
THE CLERK, -
A BILL TO EXTEND THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM UNTIL MAY 31,
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| 05:45:40 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
2012. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION TO PROCEEDING TO THE MEASURE? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATE WILL THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE MEASURE....
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| 05:45:55 |
MR. VITTER, -
FEW MORE FORMAL COMMENTS AFTER WE PASS T BUT I URGE ITS PASSAGE. THE PRESIDING
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| 05:46:03 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: SINCE THERE IS NO FURTHER DEBATE, WILL ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED SAY "NO." THE AYES APPEAR TO HAVE IT. THE AYES DO HAVE T THE MEASURE...
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| 05:46:15 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE TABLE, AND THAT ANY STATEMENTS RELATING TO THE BILL APPEAR...
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| 05:46:23 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. VITTER: THANK
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| 05:46:25 |
Vitter, David - U.S. Senator, [R] Louisiana
YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. AND, MR. PRESIDENT, IN CLOSING, LET ME THANK EVERYONE, BOTH SIDES OF THE IERL, WHO WORKED IN A VERY COMMONSENSE WAY TO GET THIS...
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| 05:48:36 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: MURRAY: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE LIFTED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER:...
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| 06:05:03 |
Murray, Patty - U.S. Senator, [D] Washington
MRS. MURRAY: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I COME TO THE FLOOR THIS EVENING TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TOW EXTEND AND EXPAND THE PAYROLL...
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| 06:11:00 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. MR. PRESIDENT.
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| 06:19:37 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM OREGON. MR. MERKLEY: MR. PRESIDENT,
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| 06:19:40 |
MR. MERKLEY, -
I ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE SUSPENDED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IT
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| 06:19:43 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
SHALL BE. MR.
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| 06:19:45 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
MERKLEY: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES, TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO BE VOTING WHETHER TO CLOSE DEBATE ON THE NOMINATION OF RICHARD CORDRAY AS DIRECTOR...
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| 06:29:41 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. QUORUM CALL: PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDING
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| 06:30:52 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM OREGON.
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| 06:30:54 |
MR. MERKLEY, -
MR. MERKLEY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE SENATE PROCEED --
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| 06:30:56 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WE'RE IN A QUORUM CALL, SENATOR. MR. MERKLEY: I ASK THE QUORUM CALL BE SUSPENDED. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION,...
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| 06:31:03 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
MR. MERKLEY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE PROCEED TO CONSIDERATION OF SENATE RESOLUTION 345 SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY. THE PRESIDING
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| 06:31:10 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT. THE CLERK: SENATE
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| 06:31:13 |
THE CLERK, -
RESOLUTION 345, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE CLOSURE OF UMATILLA ARMY DEPOT, OREGON. THE PRESIDING
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| 06:31:22 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION TO PROCEEDING TO THE MEASURE? WITHOUT OBJECTION.
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| 06:31:28 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
MR. MERKLEY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO, THE PREAMBLE BE AGREED TO, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID ON THE TABLE, WITH NO INTERVENING...
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| 06:31:41 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. MERKLEY: I
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| 06:31:48 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE SENATE COMPLETES ITS BUSINESS TODAY IT ADJOURN UNTIL 9:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011, THAT FOLLOWING THE...
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| 06:32:41 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. MERKLEY: MR.
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| 06:32:45 |
Merkley, Jeffery "Jeff" - U.S. Senator, [D] Oregon
PRESIDENT, THE CLOTURE VOTE WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 TOMORROW. CLOTURE WAS FILED ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO S. 1944, THE MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT ACT OF 2011....
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| 06:33:06 |
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, -
OFFICER: THE SENATE STANDS ADJOURNED UNTIL 9:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY. >>>
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NOTE: The transcript for this program was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.