quorum call qulon vote: vote:

the presiding officer: are there any other senators who wish to vote or change their vote? if not, on this vote, the yeas are 47, the nays are 53. under the previous order requiring 60 votes for the adoption of the concurrent resolution, the concurrent resolution is not agreed to. mrs. murray: murray: mr. presid? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: mr. president, i

ask unanimous consent that the following votes be ten-minute votes. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. murray: and, mr. president, i yield back the time. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table. under the previous order, the clerk will report h. con. res. 36, which was received from the house. the clerk: h. con. res. 36, concurrent resolution directing the clerk of the house of representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of h.r. 1473. the presiding officer: under the previous order, there will be two minutes of debate equally divided prior to a vote. mrs. murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: mr. president, i yield back all debate time and ask for the yeas and nays. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll.

vote: vote:

the presiding officer: are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote? well then on this vote, the yeas are 42, the nays are 58. under the previous order requiring 60 votes for the adomtion of the concurrent -- adoption of the concurrent resolution, the concurrent resolution is not agreed to. under the previous order, the

motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table. under the previous order, the clerk will report h.r. 1473, which was received from the house. the clerk: h.r. 1473, an act making appropriations for the department of defense and so forth and for other purposes. the presiding officer: under the previous order, there will be two minutes of debate equally divided fryer a vote. mr. durbin: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: i yield back all time on both sides and ask for the yeas and nays. the presiding officer: without objection. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote:

vote:

vote:

the presiding officer: are there any senators who wish to vote or to change their vote? in that case, on this vote the yeas are 81, the nays are 19. under the previous order requiring 60 votes for passage, the bill is passed. under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table. under the previous order, the secretary will immediately notify the house of the senate's action on the house measures.

the presiding officer: the leader. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to a period of morning business for debate only until 7:00 p.m. with senators permitted to speak up to 10 minutes each further that the majority leader be recognized at 7:00 p.m. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. the presiding officer: the senator from south carolina. mr. graham: thank you very much. i would like to enter into a a a

colloquy with my good friend, the majority leader from nevada, and sort of -- the presiding officer: without objection. mr. graham: thank you. a lot of members now understand the problem we have with the port of charleston in 2011. there is no money in the president's budget to do a scoping study and under the new rules concerning earmarking, it's been -- the presiding officer: the senate will be in order. mr. graham: to find a way forward. with the help of the majority leader and his staff and the people on appropriations, senator feinsteinstein's staff and lamar alexander's staff, we came up with language that would allow 12 different ports to have studies completed in fy 2011 if the corps chose to engaged in those studies. it wasn't a requirement to do the study and no sums on what the corps had to spend.

fortunately our house colleagues did not accept that language and my problem is that in fiscal year 2011, there is no mechanism as of yet to allow a scoping to allow the keeping of the charleston harbor except for super cargo ships coming through. this harbor would have to be deepened to accept these new ships. the amount of money is $40,000 on the federal side to be matched by the state port. people ask, why can't you come up with the money? boeing, b.m.w., you cannot have a private entity take over a federal government responsibility. so this is one of those situations that's a catch 22. it's an anomaly in the law and the vice president's office and congressman clyburgh have been

working diligently with the majority leader's assistance to find a path forward and we believe we're close to finding a way to get the study done because it was a previously authorized program under current law and i have put a hold on everything i could put a hold on and now i feel like we're making progress and the majority leader has some needs and i just want to let him know that i'm willing to work with him and others to end the senate well here right before we go out on easter break, and i want to thank him for the help he's given me to take care of a problem that no one could have anticipated but is a real problem for the people of south carolina and i just want to let him know i appreciate the effort. mr. reid: mr. president? i say to my friend, the distinguished senator from south carolina, i'm aware of these 12 ports that need help, but out of the 12 there's none that is more

immediate and it's -- we, as a country, would get such a bang for our buck to do what is necessary for the port of charleston. i, first of all, compliment the senator from south carolina for his proposed solution to a challenge facing his state. he is dogged in representing the state of south carolina. this is an issue that is important to the people of his state. his solution would not in any way violate any of the rules that we have in the senate. it's -- it's something that would not be part of congressionally directed spending in the true sense of the word, that is, it has not been approved by people in recent years. i've been part of the appropriation committee since i first came to the senate. i love that committee. i know the good things that it can do for our country and has done for our country. this merit-based competitive port fund that has been suggested would not be limited

to south carolina even though i think it's the most needy of the 12. this would not guarantee the port study in charleston would go forward, but would provide the corps the opportunity to move forward should they choose. now, mr. president, i not only have been a member of the appropriations committee, but for a long, long time -- long time the senator from new mexico, senator domenici and i, that was our subcommittee, energy and water, and that's where this money comes from. this is so necessary to be done. i understand the corps, their obligations. this is something that we have to do. and even though my friend acknowledged that this vote we just took took care of the funding until the end of this year, but that's the end of this fiscal year. there are going to be other pieces of legislation that come to this floor. we could at any time, any time

move forward on this. i thought we had a solution because the anomaly that we found ourselves in to work this out with the house of representatives. now, it's not often that i'm a cheerleader for pieces of legislation that are suggested and moved forward by republicans, but i was on this one. this is something that is merit based and is fair, and i'm going to continue to do everything i can, my friend from south carolina, to see if before the end of this fiscal year we can get something done. it's important to him, it's important to our country because of the value that port has to our country. mr. graham: thank you very much, the majority leader. it is appreciated on behalf of all of us in south carolina and look forward to finding a solution for the country as a whole. mr. reed: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island.

mr. reed: i rise today to pay tribute to specialist danny puland, a rhode islander who saved in the massachusetts national guard. on march 28, he was a gunner when it rolled over in afghanistan. he was medically evacuated to the regional medical center in germany where tragically he died two days later but surrounded by his loving family. he was laid to rest today in rhode island. mr. president, puland grew up in pawtucket, rhode island, and graduated in 2000 from high school. he joined the national guard in 2008 and was promoteed to specialist in may, 2010. as a member of the masters national guard headquarters company first battalion 181st infantry regiment, he deployed to afghanistan in july, 2010. each generation of americans is called upon to protect and sustain our democracy, and there are no greater heroes than the men and women who have worn the uniform of this nation and who

have sacrificed for this country to keep it safe and keep it free. it is our duty to protect the freedom they sacrificed their lives for through our service, our citizenship. we must continue to keep their memories alive and honor their heroism. today our thoughts are with specialist puland's mother doris, his father richard, his sisters jennifer and angelique, his long time girlfriend ashley and their son nicholas, and all of his family, friends, and comrades in arms. we join them in commemorating his sacrifice and honoring his example of selfless service, of love and courage that he has demonstrated to all of us. specialist puland is one among many rhode islanders who have proven their loyalty, their integrity and their personal courage by giving the last little -- last full measure of

their lives in the service of their country in afghanistan and iraq and throughout the centuries. today we honor his memory and honor the memory of those who have served and those who have sacrificed. mr. president, with that, i would yield the floor. mr. white house: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island. mr. whitehouse: mr. president, i am honored to join my senior senator from rhode island, jack reed, today on the floor of the united states senate to honor the brave service of specialist dennis c.puland who died of injuries sustained while serving his country in afghanistan. specialist puland or danny, as he was known, had been assigned to the kunar provincial reconstruction team in afghanistan. i have visited on several occasions the kandahar provincial reconstruction team, and i am well aware of the

demands that are put on the security teams who allow the provincial reconstruction offices to do their vital work. danny's vehicle overturned while he was conducting a mounted combat patrol, causing severe injuries. sadly, as a result of those injuries, he passed away on march 31, 2011, at at the medical center, surrounded by his family. he was born in pawtucket, rhode island, where he lived for most of his life. he joined the army national guard after graduating from high school and served with the national guard's alpha company first battalion 181st infantry regiment. specialist puland served with honor and distinction, receiving numerous awards and decorations, including the army commendation

medal, the army achievement medal, the good conduct medal, the meritorious unit commendation medal, the national defense service medal, the afghanistan campaign medal, the global war on terrorism service medal, the army service ribbon, the overseas service ribbon, the nato medal, and the combat infantry badge. we hope that upon review of this incident, he will be awarded his nation's purple heart. danny will be remembered for his commitment to his family and unit. he was a devoted father, son and brother who loved his family very deeply. his fellow soldiers describe him as a hero and the kind of guy who always put others before himself. as family and friends gather today in rhode island for his

memorial service, i would like to join senator reed in expressing my most sincere condolences for this terrible loss, to his family and to our state. and on behalf of all rhode islanders, i want to thank danny for his selfless service and his ultimate sacrifice. our hearts go out to his mother doris, to his father richard, to his sisters jennifer and angelique, to his girlfriend ashley shyl. -- shylene, and especially to his 5-year-old son nicholas who will carry on his legacy and spirit. we will never forget the sacrifice that danny, that his family freandz have endured for our country, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

mr. president, i thank the senate for their attention to these remarks, and i yield the floor. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that at 11:00 a.m. on tuesday, may 3, the senate resume consideration of s. 493, the small business jobs bill. no amendments, points of order or motions be in order during the pendcy of this agreement other than the amendments listed in this agreement and budget points of order and applicable motion to waive. that the pending amendment be set aside. that senator landrieu or her designee be recognized to call the following amendments -- demint number 300, paul 199, carpo 289 a modification which is at the desk, pryor 278, merkley 272, and landrieu 234. the demint second-degree amendment number 300 be agreed to. the time until 2:15 be equally divided between the two leaders or the designees. at 2:15 p.m., the senate proceed to votes in relation to the following amendments in the

order listed below -- cornyn 186, paul 199 as amended, hutchison 197, cardin number 240, snowe 253, pryor 289 as modified, pryor number 278, merkley number 272, and landrieu number 234. that there be no amendments in order to the amendment prior to the votes other than the demint second-degree amendment to the paul amendment, that each amendment be subject to a 60-vote threshold and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table, or that the vitter amendment number 178 and the pryor amendment number 229 be withdrawn. the presiding officer: is there objection? the senator from maine. ms. snowe: reserving the right to object, i have an additional amendment that i'd like considered on this list, and i thought that we had an agreement that there would be an even number of amendments offered on both sides, and now i understand under the agreement that's put forward by the majority leader there are six amendments on the democratic side and four amendments on our side. i would like to ask consent because i thought our -- my

amendment, the snowe amendment 299 would also be included in the amendment, so i'm asking unanimous consent that the order be modified to include snowe amendment number 299. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: mr. president, i object to my friend's request, with the following explanation. we've worked very hard to get this bill done. this is a committee that the senator from maine was chairman of this committee. she is now the ranking member. this legislation -- underline this is extremely important. it is done in the -- it has done in the past wonderful things for our country. this innovation that this bill allows to go forward has created things like the electric toothbrush and many other things. it's a good piece of legislation. my friend from maine's legislation is not relevant or germane to this legislation. what is going to happen if she objects to the consent which i

have offered, this bill will not go forward, and that is too bad. we have worked all week long -- in fact, some into last week -- trying to get these amendments cleared and agreed to. the sad part about her amendment is we can't get agreement, not only for our side but on her side without going into detail who they are. people don't want to do this amendment, because it has no direct relevance to this legislation. in addition to that, mr. president, her legislation has not had a hearing, it is something that is a big bill, not only in content but in pages, and it should have a hearing. senators should know what they're voting on in more detail. the other amendments that we've gone through, they have been taken very closely and people understand what's in them, and people know what's in them. my first thought is to say let's try to defeat it, but that's not

the way we should do legislation. so i am terribly disappointed that the senator from maine, a former chairman of this committee, recognizing the importance of this legislation, is going to cause this legislation to fail. and we very likely will not have time to bring it up again. now, if that is what my friend wants on her legislative conscience, that's fine, but i think it really shouldn't be there. someone that understands this legislation as well as she does, it's wrong to stand in the way of our completing it. ms. snowe: mr. president? the presiding officer: is there objection to the original request? ms. snowe: further reserving the right to object. the presiding officer: the senator from maine. ms. snowe: mr. president, i appreciate the comments that have been made by the majority leader, but to the contrary, this is very relevant to the underlying legislation. it's about regulatory reform. and if you -- if you would ask the small business community exactly what is their major priority in the united states congress, it would be regulatory reform. undeniably, it is one of the most onerous burdens placed on small businesses today and our

economic well-being. we have had numerous hearings within our committee, certainly, on the issue of regulatory reform, and my legislation would reform the process to ensure that small businesses are free to compete and to create jobs. what could be more important at a time when we're struggling to create jobs in our economy, where we need to create millions of jobs if we're ever going to turn around this serious unemployment rate that's plaguing our nation today but most critically affecting the personal financial well-being of all americans. so, mr. president, i'm surprised that the standard now is about the hearings. we have had numerous hearings on the subject. the question is that we never addressed the issue in the united states senate. and as i look through the number of amendments that are going to be offered to vote on in the majority leader's unanimous consent agreement, many of these amendments have not had hearings either, have not been the subject of very specific hearings. the point is here everyone has

had the opportunity and would have the opportunity to review this legislation and to debate it amply, having the opportunity to be able to explore these issues. my legislation, in fact, it's drawn the broad support of the small business community nationwide. they reviewed the legislation, they understand the implications, they understand the benefits if we do regulatory reform, and they understand the consequences if we do not. so i'm surprised that that's the new standard here because we have passed numerous pieces of legislation here on the floor of the senate that may not be subject to a specific hearing but have had numerous hearings on various subjects. the same is true of the amendments that have been included in the majority leader's unanimous consent agreement. so, mr. president, i will have to object at this time to the underlying consent since i'm unable to have a vote on my amendment, and hopefully that we can review this upon return from the recess so that we can go

forward with these votes. provided the objection is heard. the majority leader. mr. reid: thank you, mr. president. i would finally say that this legislation under any circumstances is not relevant or germane to the underlying bill. that's very clear. and this legislation is now -- that is now asked to be considered by the senate has not had a hearing. sure, we have had hearings on regulatory reform, we have had hearings on the environment also, but when you bring up a piece of legislation that's new, we deserve to know what it's about. these other amendments, we know what they're about. hers is too detailed and complicated, it's not germane or relevant. it's had no hearings. and now i'm stunned by the new standard suggested by my friend from maine. democrats have more amendments than the republicans, therefore we should consider an amendment that is not germane, relevant and has never had a hearing. so i'm disappointed that my

friend from maine's killing this legislation. that's what it amounts to. we've spent enough time on this legislation. it's really too bad. the chairman of the committee doesn't support it. the chairman of the small business committee does not support this legislation. ms. snowe: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from maine. ms. snowe: thank you, mr. president. i heard the majority leader's comments and i appreciate them. it's not about -- mr. president, about the evenness of the amendments but that was the agreement, that that was the understanding before i arrived on the floor, my staff worked in concert with the staff of the small business committee chair, senator landrieu from louisiana, who that was the agreement. so that agreement obviously changed sometime in the last hour. so getting beyond that point, though, in talking about hearings, when i look at the list of amendments that are going to be voted on and put forward in the majority leader's unanimous consent agreement, many of these amendments have not had specific hearings. but everybody in the small business community, every small business in america understands

the value of regulatory reform. it's a very straightforward piece of legislation. many of these issues have been addressed in hearings. and last fall we had a small business jobs bill and part of which was -- in part of which was a $30 billion lending facility. and believe me, there are serious problems with that lending facility. but that was not a subject of one hearing. so -- and i just want to understand here, to put forward the clarity, you know, with respect to the standards that are now being established. this issue is very important. regulatory reform is absolutely crucial and central to small business job creation, not to mention survival. you don't have to take too many main street tours to figure out what's happening on main street. they're struggling to survive. last year alone, there were $26 billion in additional costs

for compliance that was imposed on small businesses across this country as a result of new regulations. $26 billion. but what is the annual cost for compliance of regulations for small businesses in america? it's $1.7 trillion. that's on an annual basis. so is there any question in terms of the urgency and the imperative of addressing this issue? it is very central to the underlying legislation. it's about small businesses. it's about regulations and the hardships and the costs that are associated with it and it's disproportionate on the small business community. it's disproportionate. they pay more than $10,000 per employee more than a large company because they don't have the number of employees to be

able to fill out the forms and do all that's required that's associated with the complexities and the cost, you know, of complying with those regulations. 10 that's the issue here. we had a $30 billion lending facility pars part and parcel oa piece of legislation that was voted on that became law that there are issues now with today that was not the subject of one hearing. so, you know, wha what i'm sayis here, it was my understanding that we had an agreement, that's what i understood, that we were going to have an even number of amendments on both sides to be offered and that my amendment was going to be included in that list for a vote. now, you know, if members of the senate don't want to vote for the amendment, they don't have to vote for the amendment. it's all i'm doing is saying pleasaplease allow us to have ae on this specific amendment, just like the others that are in the majority leader's unanimous consent request. that's all i'm asking. we've had that bill pending for, you know, the last month and i

wanted to bring it up but, unfortunately, you know, with -- for a lot of reasons, you know, we are where we are today. but that doesn't mean to say that we should not have the opportunity to vote on this particular amendment that had been, you know, prepared to go more than a month ago to be considered on the floor of the senate. but in any event, mr. president, i regret that we are in this position tonight. hopefully that we can work through this during the course of the recess so that we do is e the opportunity to be able to vote on this amendment. i yield the floor. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from nevada. mr. reid: the longer the senator from maine talks, the more reason there's not to bring it up in the status it's in right. she's absolutely right. the issue she talks on about the wall street reform bill was brought in a time, there hadn't been hearings and it's created a furor around the country. now there's people on all sides of the issue trying to change that.

that's why we need to hold hearings. she's absolutely right. but the more she talks, the more reason there is not to do this amendment. and for her to suggest that regulation reform is something that she's all-knowing about -- and she hasn't said that but that's the implicit statement she's making -- i understand regulation reform. it's a burden and we have to change it. and we've been through a number of procedures here. we can remember during the clinton administration when al gore was in charge of reducing regulations and we did a lot of that. it was good. but we didn't do enough. i worked with the republican senator by the mak name of nicks from oklahoma. we change the law drastically. it's been used in the last congress and this congress on several occasions to get rid of bad regulations that an administration promulgates. we now have the ability to do that. is there more we could do? yes. but to march into this land suggested by my friend from maine would cause people to make a decision on a legislation that

has not been adequately reviewed. that's why, i repeat, the more she talks about what needs to be done around here, the more reason there is not to do her legislation. and this -- this bill -- and as far as any agreement, i had no agreement with anybody. i -- this consent agreement was drafted just a short time ago. i have never suggested to the senator from maine, we've never had a conversation about this until during the last votes. i move to proceed to this bill, mr. president, more than a month ago. more than a month ago. there comes a time we have to move the bill or move to something else. during our next work per, we have some big -- work period, we have some big, important things to do. we're going to deal with the patriot act. we have other things that are extremely important. and we cannot spend more time on this legislation. it's unfair to our country, it's unfair to the small business community who badly wants this legislation to go forward so they can do things, as i repeat,

like invent more electric toothbrush-type procedures -- or items. there comes a time when we have to make a decision as to whether people are just stalling this legislation or trying to send some political message saying, look, i was able to offer an amendment, i want to do regulation reform when there's no chance in the world that the senators have adequate information upon which to vote. so i'm very disappointed that very, very likely this legislation will be killed as a result of my friend, the former chairman of this committee -- certainly, i hope she understands how important this underlying legislation is and how her legislation has nothing to do that's within the keeping of germaneness or relevancy to this legislation. i would note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.

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mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations. calendars numbered 59, 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 -- no, strike 67. 64, 65, 66, 68, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 99, 100, 101, 104, 105, and all the nominations at the sent's desk for the army, marine corps and air force, that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motion to reconsider be made and laid

on the table, no further motion be in order to any of the nominations, any statements related to the nomination be printed in the record, that president obama be immediately notified of the senate's action and the senate then resume legislative session. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that on monday, may 2, 2011, at 4 20bg p.m., the senate proceed to executive session to consider nominations calendar number 74 and 76, that there be an hour of debate equally divided in the usual form. that upon the use or yielding back of the time, calendar number 74 be confirmed and the senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on calendar number 76, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table, no intervening action or debate,

that no further motion be in order to any of the nominations, that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the record and that the president be immediately notified of the senate's action and the senate then resume lftion action. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to h. con. res. 43. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h. con. res. 43, concurrent resolution providing for a conditional adjournment of the house of representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the senate. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, any statements related to this measure be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if given. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to h.r. 1308. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h.r. 1308, an act to amend the ronald reagan centennial commission act to extend the terms date for the commission and for other

purposes. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, that any statements related to this matter be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask consent that we move to calendar number s. 21, 216. the presiding officer: calendar number 21, s. 216, a bill to increase criminal penalties for certain knowing and intentional violateses relating to food that is misbranded or adult rated. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the committee substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill as amended be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table with no intervening action or debate, that any statements related to the bill be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask that we proceed to calendar number 31,

s. res. 109. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 33, s. res. 109, resolution honoring and supporting women in north africa and the middle east, and so forth. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the amendments be -- at the desk be agreed to, the resolutions as amended be agreed to, the preamble as amended be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask that we proceed to calendar number 31, s. res. 109. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. mr. reid: mr. president, i think that's a duplication error. so we'll do one that's not duplicated. i ask consent that we discharge the judiciary committee from further consideration of senate bill number s. -- s. res. 127, i'm sorry, and that we now

proceed to that matter. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 127, designating april, 2011, as national child abuse prevention month. the presiding officer: without objection, the committee is discharged. the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask consent that we proceed to calendar number 35 s. res. 128. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 35, senate resolution 128, expressing the sense of the senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the nation during public service recognition week, may 1- 7, 2011. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, there being no intervening action or debate, any statements relating to this matter be placed in the record

at the appropriate place as if given. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask consent that the foreign relations committee be discharged from further consideration of s. con. s. resd that we now proceed to that matter. the clerk: senate resolution 138, calling on the united nations to rescind the goldstone report, and for other purposes. the presiding officer: without objection, the committee is discharged. the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i further ask, mr. president, that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, that any statements related to this measure be printed in the record at the appropriate place. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to consideration of h. con. res. 33. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h. con. res. 33, a concurrent resolution permitting the use of the rotunda of the capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the holocaust. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the

motion to reconsider be laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, any statements relating to this matter be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask consent that the senate proceed to a number of matters en bloc. these are resolutions which were submitted earlier today -- s. res. 154, 155, 156 and 157. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measures. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, there being no intervening action or debate and any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the record at the appropriate place as if given. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask unanimous consent the committee on agriculture be discharged from further consideration of s. 375 and the bill be referred to the energy committee. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. without objection, the committee is discharged.

the senate will proceed to the measure. without objection, the bills will be referred. mr. reid: i now ask unanimous consent that appointments at the desk appear separately in the record as if made by the chair. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment of the senate, the majority leader or senator rockefeller be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the senate, the president pro tempore of the senate and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences and to parliamentary conferences authorized by law by concurrent action of the two houses or by order of the senate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn under the -- i'm sorry, under the provisions of h. con.

res. 43, the adjournment resolution, until 2:00 p.m. on monday, may 2. following the prayer and the pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, that the senate proceed to a period of morning business only until 4:30 p.m., with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. further, that following morning business, the senate proceed to executive session under the previous order. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: therefore, mr. president, the first roll call vote will be at 5:30 p.m. when we return. that vote will be on confirmation of executive calendar number 76, the nomination of kevin hunter sharp to be united states district judge for tennessee. i appreciate everyone's patience, including the presiding officer, for your patience and allowing us to complete the business for the senate for this period of time. i hope that everyone has a good work period. some will go a long ways away, maybe as far away as alaska. the presiding officer: the

senate will stand adjourned pursuant to h. con. res. 43, the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until of the nation's governors laid out different approaches to states budget challenges.

>> now, the governors from vermont and wisconsin testify about the fiscal health of their state. governor walker, a republican is best known for pushing through a planned that strips about employee unions and then the most collective bargaining rights. that plan was put forward as part of a budget deficit reduction package. the house oversight committee is chaired by congressman darrell a set of california. [inaudible conversations] >> thank you. the committee will come to order. before i begin and i don't think that i have to remind the audience broadly, but i will. lukewarm will be maintained here so that our two witnesses, both seeded governors are heard without any unreasonable interaction. if you agree with them, smile. if you disagree with them,

smile. the fact is that this is about america hearing from two governors who have a high response ability to serve their state and we have a hybrid of the ability to hear them. the chair cannot allow any disruption and i appreciate all those who came to get a message out to so before the gavel and i appreciate if you'd like to remain, you can remain for the entire hearing. we are open to the public, but if there's any disruption from your seats will go to people with enough i'd will also would like to be in attendance. this committee has a long-standing history of doing that on a basis. i now recognize the ranking member for unanimous consent. [inaudible] >> -- unanimous consent that representative gwen moore of