described by doctor ford and states that he never -- >> this hearing continues on our companion network c-span 3 and online@c-span.org. here on c-span2 we take you to the u.s. senate which is considering a nominee to be under secretary of defense for research and engineering. this is live coverage of the senate on c-span20. the presiding officer: the senate will come to order. the chaplain dr. barry black will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. sovereign lord, through all the generations you have been our refuge and strength. you are without beginning or end. lord, how fleeting

are life's seasons. we disappear like grass that springs up in the morning but by evening has begun to wither. guide our lawmakers as they seek to confront the problems of our time with your solutions. give them stability and serenity as they strive to accomplish your purposes. help them to see their legislative work as a divine calling and mission. we pray in your sacred name. amen. the presiding 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 republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., september 27, 2018. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable deb fischer, a senator from the state of nebraska, to perform the duties of the chair. signed: orrin g. hatch, president pro tempore. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. morning business is closed. under the previous order, the senate will proceed to executive session for the consideration of

the following nomination. which the clerk will report. the clerk: nomination, department of defense, lisa porter of virginia to be a deputy under secretary. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the time until 12:40 p.m. will be equally divided in the usual form.

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the presiding officer: under the previous order, all time has expired. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. there is. the clerk will call the roll. vote:

vote:

vote:

the presiding officer: are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change his or her vote? if no, the ayes are 98, the nays are 1. the nomination is confirmed. under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table and the president will be immediately notified of the senate's action. the senator for oklahoma. mr. lankford: i have requests for meetings during today's session of the senate. they have the approval of the majority and minority leaders. i ask unanimous consent the senate stand in recess until 4:00 this afternoon. the presiding officer: without objection.