mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president we are continuing to make progress on the bipartisan antitrafficking bill. senator cornyn is working with chairman grassley and senators on both sides of the aisle to resolve the remaining issues. it's my hope that we'll be able to go through an orderly amendment process and pass a trafficking bill early next week. the senate would then consider the lynch nomination through the regular order as i have already committed to doing followed by a consideration of the iran bill as reported unanimously by the foreign relations committee earlier this week. mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader with the concurrence of the democratic leader, the senate proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to calendar 30 h.r. 1191, and

mr. mcconnell: now mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of s. res. 133 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 133 supporting the goals and ideals of national public health week. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. mcconnell: i further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: as in executive session i ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the senate on april 13, 2015 by the president of the united states -- protocol amending the tax convention with japan a treaty document number 114-1 i further ask that the treaty be considered as read the first time referr

mr. mcconnell: well, mr. president, we'd like to be able to process this important bill and move on to a vote on the president's nominee for attorney general and based upon the progress that's being made by my friend and colleague from texas, i ask unanimous consent to withdraw the cloture motion on the cornyn amendment number 1120. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: quorum call: quorum call: a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from indiana. mr. coats: mr. president i ask that the call of the quorum be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. coats: mr. president as i've done for the last several weeks, i'm back again for this week's waste of the week. another installment of a series of pointing out how we can save taxpayer dollars by looking at waste and inefficiencies, duplication and other factors that simply is a waste of their money. in april b

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president i ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule 22, when the senate resumes consideration of the lynch nomination on thursday april 23, there be two hours of debate equally twieded in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture. that if cloture is invoked there be up to two hours of postcloture debate equally divided between the two leaders and that following the united states or yielding back of time, the senate vote on the nomination. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president i ask unanimous consent that when the senate convenes on thursday, april 23, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired the

mr. mcconnell: so, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today it adjourn until 3:00 p.m. monday, april 27. following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date the time for the two leaders be reserved for use later in the day. following leader remarks, the senate then resume consideration of h.r. 1191 for debate only. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: if there's no further business to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate shall be adjourned until monday 3:00 p.m. on april 27. >> earlier today lawmakers confirmed loretta lynch to be the next u.s. attorney general. about 56-43 and the begin debate on a measure that would require the obama administration to make any nuclear agreement with iran to congress for review. work on the bill continuing next week. you can follow the senate live on c-span2 an member

mr. mcconnell: mr. president are we in a quorum call? the presiding officer: we are. mr. cconnell: i ask unanimous consent that it be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president we'll have a busy dave voting voting -- day of voting today. senators should expect two roll call votes at approximately 10:45 this morning and up to six roll call votes at 2:00 p.m. to finish the anti-trafficking bill. i filed cloture on the lynch nomination last night. that vote will occur an hour after the senate convenes tomorrow. i understand there is a bill at the desk due for its second reading. the presiding officer: the clerk will read the title of the bill for secondary time. the clerk: s. 1035, a bill to extend authority relating to roving surveillance and so forth and for other purposes. mr. mcconnell: in order to plaits bill on the calendar, i would to be further proceedings. the presiding officer: objection having been heard the bill will be placed on the calendar. mr. mcconnell: now mr. president, help is finally on the way for the thousands

mr. mcconnell. the senator from texas, mr. cornyn. the senator from utah, mr. hatch. the senator from wyoming, mr. barrasso. the senator from missouri, mr. blunt. the senator from mississippi mr. economicer. the senator from tennessee, mr. corker. the senator from illinois, mr. durbin. the senator from washington, miss murray. the senator from maryland, mr. cardin. and the senator from hawaii -- the senator from hawaii, ms. hirono. the speaker: members of the escort committee will leave through the lobby doors. >> mr. speaker the acting dean of the diplomatic corps. >> mr. speaker, the president's cabinet. >> mr. speaker the prime minister of japan. the speaker: members of congress i have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you his excellency shinzo abe prime minister of japan. prime minister abe: mr. speaker, mr. vice president distinguished members of the senate and the house, distinct guests, ladies and gentlemen, back in june, 1957 my grandfather standing right here as prime minister of japan began his address by saying and i quote it is bec

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. thursday april 30. following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour deemed expired the journal of proceedings be approved to date and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day. following leader remarks the senate resume consideration of h.r. 1191. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: if there is no further business to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of senator brown. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. brown: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. brown: i thank the majority leader. and i ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business, mr. president. the presiding officer: the senate is in morning business. mr. brown: thank you, mr. president. i appreciate that. it's been a year since, more th

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: this week looks to be a busy one here in the senate. we've got a lot of important legislation to consider. we're hoping our friends across the aisle will work with us to do so in an expeditious manner. for instance, we'll begin the process of finishing our work on the balanced budget before the senate -- which the senate passed just before easter. passing that balanced budget was a big moment with the new senate. for years the budget process was ignored almost entirely in this chamber and the idea of a balanced budget passing was basically unthinkable. but now the senate is under new management things are changing, and soon we'll conference with the house to work out a final budget that can be passed by the full congress. that's just the latest example of congress getting back to work. i know a lot of americans are happy to see that. but the budget is far from the only item on the senate's near-term agenda. the senate will soon consider bipartisan legislation that's designed

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. cconnell: yesterday we were re-mooned yet again of iron'siron's determination to use every element of national power to expand its sphere of influence and undermine international law. what we saw in the strait of hormuz simply undermines the danger posed by iran along with a pressing need for a clear-eyed understanding of the iranian threat. it's appropriate then that the senate will resume consideration of the bipartisan iran nuclear agreement review act later today. i encourage members to come to the floor offer amendments, and work with the floor managers to schedule votes. we voted on one amendment to this bipartisan bill. i am a sure we'll take votes on several more significant amendments before the week is up. now on a different matter, later this morning we'll welcome an important friend of the united states to the capitol shinzo abe, japan's prime minister. i'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say. i know many of my colleagues feel the same way. because prime minister

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: president obama recently claimed this to be national crime victims' rights week a stark reminder of the countless victims of modern slavery who continue to suffer exploitation at the hands of human traffickers a stark reminder of the need to pass the justice for victims of trafficking act a bill that victims groups and advocates called the most comprehensive piece of antitrafficking legislation currently pending. it provides unprecedented support to victims of domestic trafficking who are all too often invisible and underserved. this group further said, as leaders in the antitrafficking antiviolence child welfare civil rights, run away and homeless youth and human rights movements, we urge congress to pass this critical piece of legislation. there have been good-faict negotiations to resolve the impasse that presented the senate -- prevented the senate from moving forward on this bill. i'm glad we can say there is a bipartisan proposal that will allow us to complete action o

mr. mcconnell? when these fishermen took the oysters toy including the shells, from the bay or other waters they could then sell the oysters. why were the shelves not theirs at that? >> whatever property interest the state of maryland provided for them, and the state of maryland with help the 10 percent of the show for the purpose of essentially fertilizing. >> i guess i would have thought as soon as they bring the oysters out of the bay and hold their catch to shore that what they have halted short is then there's. >> except for the 10 percent of the state reserves. >> i guess what justice sotomayor question is is why wouldn't the same be true for raisins? >> raisins are not wild animals, even if they are dancing. [laughter] and they did not originally belonged to the federal government. >> you think that leonard is an animal's case as opposed to let you know, the state contact your property case? >> yes, i do. >> call it the tax. >> they did also call it attacks. i am happy to address whether this

mr. mcconnell? when these fishermen took the oysters toy including the shells from the bay or other waters they could then sell the oysters. why were the shelves not theirs at that.? >> whatever property interest the state of maryland provided for them and the state of maryland with help the 10 percent of the show for the purpose of essentially fertilizing. >> i guess i would have thought as soon as they bring the oysters out of the bay and hold their catch to shore that what they have halted short is then there's >> except for the 10 percent of the state reserves. >> i guess what justice sotomayor question is is why wouldn't the same be true for raisins? >> raisins are not wild animals, even if they are dancing. [laughter] and they did not originally belonged to the federal government. >> you think that leonard is an animal's case as opposed to let you know the state contact your property case? >> yes, i do. >> call it the tax. >> they did also call it attacks. i am happy to address whether this is

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: the senate will soon resume consideration of the iran nuclear agreement review act. i expect we'll consider several amendments today and i continue to encourage senators to come to the floor to offer them. the iran nuclear agreement review act is bipartisan legislation that will ensure congress and the american people have a chance to review any comprehensive agreement reached with iran, and it ensures they'll be able to do so before congressional sanctions are lifted. these sanctions are a big reason why america was even able to bring iran to the table in the first place. we shouldn't be giving up that leverage now without the american people through the members of congress they elect having a chance to weigh in. quite simple. the american people expect us to have an opportunity to evaluate this agreement or not. second iran wouldn't just use the funds derived from sanctions relief to rebuild its economy. what's clear is that iran is determined to use every tool -- every to

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: later this morning, the senate will move to go to conference with the house on the budget resolution. the vote on that motion will occur before lunch. up to ten hours of debate -- after about ten hours of debate which is stipulated under the statute, we expect a series of votes on motions to instruct conferees on the budget. senators should expect those votes later this afternoon or this evening. now, mr. president just hours ago, 100% of senate democrats followed the lead of republicans and democrats in the house including nancy pelosi and the pro-choice caucus in voting to endorse the bipartisan principle that federal funds leaving the government should be subject to bipartisan hyde language. given that americans overwhelmingly support what hyde does it's no wonder this principle has been applied by both parties both parties to appropriation and authorizing legislation for as long as anyone can remember. we hope democrats' state of support for hyde in last night's medicare

mr. mcconnell you are not wrong about that. and scalia says, i didn't think so.at gives you an indication. that's it for the panel. stay tuned to hear what secret service may be asking after last week's security breach. >>> finally tonight, joe is briefing members of congress on recent security breaches. one late night show took a stab at what may be happening behind secret service talking about white house security. >> number 7. why doesn't the president just move to a safer neighborhood? number 5: have we tried a fence around the fence? number four, sorry i'm late. slow moving prostitute. number 3: you don't work here. how did you get in? number 2: one more screwup and you are all going back to groping air travelers. [ laughter ] and number one thing overheard at the latest secret service meeting who wants to ride the gyro copter. >> oh, dear. thanks for inviting us into your home tonight. that's it for this "special report." fair, balanced and unafraid. greta goes "on the record" right now. if you haven't been there before, "special report" online is a lot of

mr. mcconnell you are not wrong about that. and scalia says, i didn't think so.es you an indication. that's it for the panel. stay tuned to hear what secret service may be asking after last week's security breach. nsurance company says they'll only pay three-quarters of what it takes to replace it. what are you supposed to do, drive three-quarters of a car? now if you had liberty mutual new car replacement, you'd get your whole car back. i guess they don't want you driving around on three wheels. smart. with liberty mutual new car replacement, we'll replace the full value of your car. see car insurance in a whole new light. liberty mutual insurance. every truck can tow a boat. every truck can climb a hill. every truck can haul a trailer. but not everyone can say they're the fastest-growing truck brand in america. guts. glory. ram. >>> finally tonight, joe is briefing members of congress on recent security breaches. one late night show took a stab at what may be happening behind secret service talking about white house security. >> number 7. why doesn't the presid

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: today we'll consider the president's nominee for attorney general loretta lynch. last month i said the senate would consider this nominee as soon as we passed an all-important anti-slavery bill, and today we'll consider the nominee. we couldn't have been more pleased to see the legislation the justice for victims of trafficking act passed by an overwhelming margin of 99-0 yesterday. senator correspondent nip and the entire republican contemporaries made this anti-slavery bill a priority because the cuffing of these victims is simply -- because the suffering of these victims is simply unconscionable. we decided these victims had waited long enough. we wanted to make it an early legislative priority. it was time to act and to finally give the victims of modern slavery the help and hope they'd long waited for. now we can finally say that help is on the way. victims, advocates and all the members of this body who negotiated in good faith and senator cornyn in particular, who nev

mr. mcconnell says that they're working on language on the human trafficking, sex trafficking bill and thenwould go to the lynch vote and maybe would work it out. why does it have to be attached to a bill congress woman? why are we holding a bill hostage? it's unheard of. we're talking about the attorney general. >> well also let me just tell you, this sex trafficking legislation, the sad thing is this was completely bipartisan. i have a bill that's in that package, voted than mousily sought of the house. we are hurting people by holding up the sex trafficking bill in addition to the damage that's being done to the justice. >> senator u.s. senator, debbie stab anow had called for a vote on the senate floor. listen to this. >> we're not asking that someone vote yes if they want to vote no. they have the right to vote no. we've had enough members now come forward that it's clear she actually has the votes. we have enough members indicate they were a supporter that we know that if we could get a vote on the floor that, in fact she would be confirmed. >> there you see the picture of john ashcro

mr. mcconnell and his number one job was to defeat barack obama.s and dreams and aberrations who want to replace barack obama in the white house is going to get in the way of a lot of conversations. it's going to get in the way of certain agendas if this senate is in tent on spending all of its time it's going to be a real waste of time and money and bad energy. i'm not very hopeful either about what's going to come out of this congress. i'm a broadcaster i never believe in avoiding answering a question. my job is to ask questions and i'd want you to answer it. i don't ever run onto questions. last time i was on c-span i got asked a question and i answered it and i caught all kind of hell in the media for three or four weeks because i was whining on c-span about not being invited to the white house. i answered the question but i caught hell for not being invited to the white house. i'm sure when i answer this question the same thing will happen that i was here whining that i haven't been invited to the white house. no i have still not been invited.

mr. mcconnell was asked about the lender case. i take it you don't think the leonard case has an important bearing on this case. a passing reference on the issue of fungible good. am i correct? >> we are not -- >> you did not suggest this case is just another version of leonard and we should affirm based on learned? >> it was tax, this was not identified as a tax public because raises don't come to the government. the raisins are going into a pool that belongs to all of the producers and divided up among the producers. these are not as appropriate for the government's own use but leonard is clinically instructive from the point with respect to property like this, the oyster shells are like raisins and what the court said is they are fungible and their only value is commercial sale. this is not the ownership of real property which is unique and personally identified. these races are valuable only for sale. >> the regulatory aspects and program aside to. it said the government says to the racing industry, we could tax you and say yo

mr. mcconnell is the same mitch mccome who said his number one job was to defeat barack obama.rity leader. if that sentiment continues not much is going to get done. number one. number two the hopes and dreams and aspiration moves sitting senators who want to replace barack obama in the house is going to get in the way of a lot of legislation just people's personal amibitions naked amibitions go together get in the way of certain agendas in the senate and thirdly if this republican senate is intent on spending its i'm trying to up do obamacare, which has been upheld in the court system we'll have a real waste of time and money and bad energy in this town. so for those three ropes -- ropes i'm not hopeful about this congress. your first question was about the white house. i'm laughing because i'm going -- i believe -- peter knows -- because i'm a broadcaster and a talk show host i neverrer ever believe in avoiding answering a question. my job is to ask people questions. if you were on my show and asked me and i asked you a question i'd want you to answer, so i don't ever run fro

mr. mcconnell has told his senate colleagues he would get to her next week just as he had always planned.will see if that happens. kristen welker, thank you so much. >> thanks, alex. >>> other news, an incredible fireball lit up the sky in fresno, california, friday when a natural gas line exploded at the county sheriff's gun range. the flames injured 13 people three critically and shut down the highway in both directions. one person described the scene as a crater. the cause of the explosion is under investigation. >>> an unsettling sight on an ohio highway. a cage full of puppies on the roof of a van. several drivers called 911 to report the scene. when police caught up with the van they found a mennonite family of six on a road trip to pennsylvania and asked the driver why the dogs weren't in the vehicle? >> he said he had far more important things to put in the car, meaning his children. so there wasn't room. i didn't see injuries. i did notice they would not leave each other. they were huddled together. they were scared. they had our nated all over the inside of the cage. when i trie

mr. mcconnell about the senate vote, the full senate vote? >> of course. >> when do you expect that? >> well, that's up to senator mcconnell. i've got to go you guys. i have a whole chamber. a bunch of manufacturers in my office. >> your outlook for tomorrow, the vote count tomorrow on the legislation? >> what's my outlook? >> for the vote tomorrow, for the markup. >> well i hope so. i don't intend to get much more than tomorrow. i think we will report it tomorrow if we can. it's a hot bill. as you can see, there's some people -- >> -- a good amount of democratic support. >> we'll have to wait and see. i have my ideas on that. we're pretty much on top of it, but we'll -- >> thank you. >> thank you. >> we'll see you. >>> today the senate finance committee works on a u.s. trade bill, including fast track trade promotion authority which would give the president leeway in negotiating international trade deals. live coverage begins at 10:45 eastern time here on c-span3. >> in 2003 "new york times" reporter judith miller wrote several stories on the lead up to the invasion of iraq and weap

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: two weeks ago every republican and every democrat on the foreign reels committee voted to approve the iran nuclear agreement review act. that 19-0 vote cleared the way for its consideration on the floor today. this is an important debate in our country. at its heart it turns on a central proposition: do the american people, through the members of congress they elect, deserve a say in one of the most important issues of our time? for a long time the answer from the white house seemed to be "no." we've since seen a softening of that hard line. but that doesn't mean the fight for this bipartisan legislation has been won. i still expect to see a vigorous debate this week. i still expect to see a robust amendment process. and then at the end of the day the american people are right to expect their senators, regardless of party to stand up for them by supporting a bill that's as sensible as it is bipartisan. preventing the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism from et gaining

mr. speaker, leaders mcconnell reid, other testing was members of the house and senate, reverend tom mullinss have always inspired our family and we appreciate you being here today. jim nance, a great friend for many years, i enjoyed working with you. you are the best. the osu marching band, a little larger the last time i saw it. [laughter] thank you for being here. i much appreciate it. so many family, friends who took time out of their busy schedules to be here today, i am humbled. a special thanks to my son jack . i don't have the words to say thank you for what you said from your heart on behalf of you and our family. that was fantastic. two and a half years ago, i had the privilege to be here to say words about my good friend, arnold palmer. what it privilege it was to be here that day. ap, you have been a great friend. and you will continue to be so. my son jack, at about six years old, someone asked him, what does your dad do? he said, nothing, he just plays golf. [laughter] i did just play golf. i played the greatest game of all. somehow over the course of 60 years playing it, i end

mr. speaker leaders mcconnell, reid, pelosi, my friends the senators, other distinguished members of the house and senate floor reverend tom mullins, you've always inspired our family command we appreciate you being here today. jim nance great friend for many years. enjoyed working with you. you are the best. the osu marching band, a little larger last him aside. abcaseven thank you all for being here. much appreciated. so many family friends friends and business that if the time out of their busy schedules to be here today. i am i am humbled. and a special thanks to my son, jack who who i don't know if i we will get through this, but i do not have the words to say thank you for what you said from your heart on behalf of you and your family and our family. it is fantastic. two and a half years ago i had the privilege to be here to say words about my good friend, arnold palmer. what a privilege it was to be here that day. you have been a great friend and will continue to be so. my son was about six years old and someone asked him for what does your dad do? he said, nothing, he just plays

mr. speaker, my ohio friends senators mcconnell, senator reid, senator pelosi distinguished members of these and senate. reverend tom mullins. your words have always inspired and comforted our family and we appreciate you being here with us today. jim nance, a great friend for many years. i have enjoyed working with you. you are the best. the osu marching band, you look larger than the last time i saw it but thank you for being here. it is much appreciated. to so many family, friends friends in business who took time out of their busy schedules to be here today. i am humbled. a special thanks to my son jack, i don't know if i will get through this, but -- i don't have the words to say thank you for what you said from your heart on behalf of my family. it was fantastic. two and a years ago, i had the half privilege to be here to say words about my good friend arnold palmer. what a privilege it was to be here that day. arnold, you have been a great friend and will continue to be so, i know. for my son jack, when he was about six years old somebody asked him, so, what does your dad do? and he

mr. speaker, my ohio friends senators mcconnell, senator reid, senator pelosi >> other distinguished membersom mullins. your words have always inspired and comforted her family. jim nance, great friend for many years, i have enjoyed working with you, you are the best. the marching band, larger the last semisolid. thank you all for being here. so many family and friends that took the time to be here today i am humbled. a special thanks to my son jack i don't know if i'll get through this but i don't have the words to say thank you. it was fantastic. two and a half years ago i had the privilege to be here to say words about my good friend arnold palmer what a privilege it was to be here that day. ap you have been a great friend. we will continue to be so, i know. my friend jackie, with about six years old somebody asked him what is your dad do? he said, nothing. he just plays golf. [applause] and i did just play golf. i played the greatest game of all and somehow over the course of playing i ended up today. my parents families came over from europe, they were hard-working families and living e

mr. obama is letting iran have the upper hand in the region. republicans share those concerns. mitch mcconnell was in israel last weekend. >> there is no deal. the view of this group similar to your own that ratcheting up sanctions might be the best direction to take in the wake of a deal that does not come together. >> congress returns april 18th. many people believe that's the real deadline. if there is no real deal by then republicans will move quickly to impose more sanctions on iran. mike viqueira, al jazeera. washington. >> joining us from massachusetts is jim walsh research associate at mit security studies program. jim, good to see you. the most important thing is that iran does not get to the point where it has a path to a bomb, but aren't we past that? isn't the best we can hope for from this deal is iran's bath to a bomb is a little longer? >> well, i would say--i would divide it a little differently antonio. i would say you're right to say that iran has a basic capability. that's what the director of national intelligence the top intel official in the u.s. has testified to these la

mr. president i'm very happy today,py when we have reached a an agreement and i want to thank senator murray for her leadership, senator reid, senator mcconnell and senator cornyn, the two of us, have worked on this issue for years. and finally we're going to be able to move these reallyy important bills forward. whats this compromise, does, is really set up two funds. the first uses senator cornyn's fund, which is, fees on perpetrators and uses that for things lik se shelters and law enforcement, things we envisioned would be used for people to combat sex trafficking. the second fund is a medical fund and it is really based on the same principle that we used with the sgr fund that we justun voted on. it passed, that bill passed 92-8. the fund would receive a minimumld of five million dollars, and would be matched up to 30 million as the funding that the cornyn fund goes up. so it really is a parallel fund that is serving the exact same purpose. and, this is the way that we were able to eliminate extraneousth provisions that still keep the spirit of this really important bill and allow to us move on to my bill, the stop exploitation trafficki

mr. president? >> the majority leader. >> ifill: word of the deal came first thing this morning on the senate floor, from republican majority leader mitch mcconnell. >> i'm glad we can now say there is a bipartisan proposal that will allow us to complete action on this important legislation so we can provide help to the victims who desperately need it. >> ifill: the agreement also means the senate will likely vote, mcconnell said "in the next day or so," on attorney general nominee loretta lynch. that was welcome news to minority leader harry reid. >> let's get out of this quickly. let's get loretta lynch confirmed. >> ifill: the human trafficking bill and the nomination had been blocked for months. initially there was bi-partisan backing for the bill that sets up a fund for victims of trafficking. but an impasse developed when democrats objected to language that would expand prohibitions on abortion funding. republicans, in turn, insisted they would not take up the lynch nomination until the human trafficking bill passed. today's deal tweaks the abortion language in a way that both sides say they can accept. it also comes several days after pres

supports the legislation introduced by senate majority leader mcconnell to real the rise that act after -- to reauthorize that act 2020? mr. earnest: the president has been clear about reforms, and there is a process underway in the house that is being conducted on a bipartisan basis to advance some important reforms to the program. you will recall at the end of last year, house republicans did succeed in advancing a set of reforms that were supported by the president. unfortunately, those reforms did not make it through the senate. and the president is pleased these bipartisan efforts have been restarted in the house, and we are hopeful this will sort of be the next phase of the bipartisanship many have observed in congress of late. there have been observations about the successful bipartisan cooperation around docks this -- doc-sys, about the iran legislation that is currently being discussed and making its way through the senate, and hopefully the next place where democrats and republicans will turn their attention and try to work together is on this issue of putting in place and portal reforms to the patriot act. all

mr. pres., i am happy we have reached an agreement and want to thank senator murray for her leadership, senator reid, mcconnell, and cornyn. we have worked on this issue for years and finally will be able to move these important bills forward. what this compromise does is set up to funds. funds. the 1st uses senator cornyn's funds which is fees on perpetrators, things like shelters law enforcement things we envision used for people to combat sex trafficking. the 2nd is a medical fund based upon the same principle we used. it passed 92 to eight. a minimum of $5 million, messed up to 30 million in funding. that is that is the cornyn fund. there is a parallel fund serving the exact same purpose. and this is a way that we were able to eliminate extraneous provisions but still keep the spirit of this really important bill and allow us to move on to my bill to stop exportation trafficking which really is about not prosecuting kids under 18. a huge bill that passed unanimously in the judiciary committee. i want to thank senator murray for her leadership. we have been a team and have been able to work with sen. cornyn

mr. mcconnell: mr. president the answer is no, but i think the senator from oregon wants to respond. mr. wyden: mr. president continuing my reservation, i don't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to fighting for the victims of sex trafficking. as the distinguished senator from texas knows, i was an original cosponsor of this legislation, and much of it is based on bills i've written and have advocated on behalf of for years, including with the distinguished senator from texas. much of this sex trafficking legislation, colleagues, is baseed on meetings and discussions i have had for years with young women who have been trafficked, law enforcement officials and community leaders, and i remember like it was yesterday mr. president how i was with the portland police on 82nd avenue in east portland where we encountered young women in their early teens who walked around with knives in their purses just hoping to survive the evening. the underlying legislation before us, in my view is going to be a very valuable tool in helping women like those that i saw in southeast portland. unfort

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: what is the pending business? the presiding officer: the clerk will report the pending business. the clerk: calendar number 26, s. 178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. portman: mr. president, in the interest of moving the human trafficking bill forward with the understanding these amendments could be offered later in the prods, i -- process i would like to withdraw my amendment number 271. the presiding officer: the amendment is withdrawn. mr. portman: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. portman: mr. president additionally i'd like to withdraw my amendment number 270. the presiding officer: the amendment is withdrawn. mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i call up amendment number 1120. which is at the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: the senator from

mr. mcconnell:: mr. president? the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: mr. president just briefly, the point to remember here is at midnight five hours from now roughly c.m.s. will begin to cut payments to doctors who treat medicare patients. if we do not act tonight these cuts of 21% will be real. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the senate will proceed to the consideration of h.r. 2 which the clerk will report. the clerk: h.r. 2 an act to amend title 18 of the social security act and so fortd and -- and so forth and for other purposes. mr. cornyn: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority whip. mr. cornyn: mr. president i call up my amendment aand -- and ask for its immediate consideration. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: the senator from texas, mr. cornyn, proposes amendment number 1114. the presiding officer: under the previous order there are now two minutes of debate equally wide toed prior to a roll vote in relation to the amendment offer 1114, offered by the senator fr

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the finance committee be allowed to meet during today's session of the senate. the presiding officer: is there objection? a senator: object. the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. sanders: i object to the unanimous consent to waive rule 26 to allow the finance committee to pass a fast-track bill that will undermine the american worker. mr. mcconnell: mr. president, let me just say to my good friend from vermont the finance committee is scheduled to deal with the trade promotion authority issue this afternoon. there are over 200 amendments. and i would just say to my friend all -- all this objection is going to do will be to require us to recess after the votes on trafficking and stay in session because we're going to finish the bill in the finance committee today. and i appreciate the senator's opposition but i wanted to make clear to him and to our colleagues that it will not pr

mr. mcconnell: now mr. president, i ask unanimous consent when the senate completes its business today it adjourn until 10:00 a.m. tuesday, april 21, following the prayer and pledge, the morning business be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings approved to date, and the time for the two leaders reserved for their use later in the day. following leader remarks, the senate be in a period of morning business for up to one hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each with the time equally divided, and that the majority control the first half and the democrats control the final half. following morning business, the senate resume consideration of s. 178 finally that the senate recess from 12:30 to 2:15 to allow for the weekly conference luncheons. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: if there is no further business to come before the senate i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate will stand adjourned >> what we