mr. lankford: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. lankford: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of s. res. 550 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 550, congratulating the golden state warriors, and so forth. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. lankford: i ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. lankford: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it will adjourn until 10:00 a.m. tuesday, june 19. further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning business be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. i further ask that followin

mr. lankford: thank you. madam president, there are 12 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the senate. they have the approval of the majority and the minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mr. lankford: i talk to a lot of oklahomans who say we like to hear good news for a while. let me pause and read a couple of headlines and give good news. one came out of the oklahoma legislature and out of our research branch dealing with our finances. oklahoma revenues are up to the state 20% higher than what was expected. now, for folks in this chamber that don't know what's happening in oklahoma, our economy has been down for a couple of years. we're struggling serious issues as a budget. for our revenue to be up 20% higher than what was expected was a surprise but a welcome surprise. and it's a real sign in the turnaround in the oklahoma economy, and it's very good news for a lot of people. but i'm grateful to also say it's not isolated news. this is happening nationwide with a real

mr. lankford: mr. president, today, wednesday, is day 83,723 since the senate first achieved quorum and started work. no grand celebration there. that's 229 years, two months, 22 days. in that time, this body has deliberated over some of the most difficult issues of our time, of each time -- slavery, war, voting rights. they have all been difficult issues that our nation has debated in this building, but lately it seems that we do less and less debate and more and more empty chamber quorum calls. for the people that watch the debate in this room watch an empty room and think where is the debate happening in the senate? now, i can assure you there is work being done. there is a lot happening in committee hearings right now. there is a lot happening in different offices trying to be able to work through the issues. our days are busy and full. for some reason, we're not getting to some of the biggest debates that need to be completed. i have had a real push in the nominations process to say we spent 100 d

lankford: mr. presin the last 24 hours, senator mcconnell has announced the senateilstill be in session in augus no i don't -- i don't know of y that loves being in washington, d.c., in august. quite frankly, it's a hot, humid, miserable place. i would much rather be back in oklahoma with other folks that i serve, getting a chance to spend some time there. the senate is in session 11 months of the year. the only month we are not in session traditionally is august. but we have a problem. the work is not getting done in the senate. and if the options are whether to be in washington, d.c., and get the work done or to be back in my state seeing the folks in my state but knowing that the legislative work is undon then the decision should be get the work done. senator mcconnell announced yesterday that in august we'll be here. we have two big issues as the reason we should be here in august to be able to get some things done. on is the nominio issue. this is an issue that has quite frankly picked up a lo