ms. landrieu: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from louisiana. ms. landrieu: thank you, madam president. as we begin our work this afternoon i wanted to come to the floor and make a few comments about the homeland security appropriations bill that is now going to be included in the amendment offered by senator mikulski and senator shelby as part of an appropriation bill that is coming over from the house. this is such an important step forward, madam president, not just for the government but for the private sector jobs that depend on reliable, transparent, and appropriate government spending, but for the whole country. because we have been in gridlock, stopped on our funding bills for months now. and not talking about the things that make americans happy and prosperous, which are smart investments in their future, in their interest. we've been just fighting about appropriation bills. well, that fight, hopefully, is coming to an end because of the really extraordinary leadership of the senator from maryland, senator mikulski, the senior senator from a

ms. mikulski: mr. president, i object. mr. president, in behalf of senator landrieu and myself, i object to the senator's request. the presiding officer: objection is heard. ms. mikulski: mr. president, before we proceed to the debate on toomey, i say to my colleague from ohio, a strong advocate for working people is appreciated. i really, from the standpoint of discussion, do not want to discuss. you've got some excellent ideas that i hope you and the gentlelady who chairs the homeland security subcommittee could talk about how we could reach some type of consensus to generate jobs, retain the integrity of a workforce and keep our economy going and i salute you for the work you do every day in that area. mr. brown: i thank senator mikulski. the amendment would have struck the language. i'm offering it also with senator isakson; would have struck the language on the pilot projects that expire at the end of the year with privatization of customs services. it is something that i will work with senator lan tkraourbgs and i appreciate -- i will work with senator landrieu. it is about good public service and creating j

ms. landrieu. ms. landrieu: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from louisiana. ms. landrieu: i'm happy to offer this amendment on behalf of senator chambliss, senator vitter. the presiding officer: the senate will be in order. ms. landrieu: i'm proud to offer this amendment on behalf of myself, senator chambliss, senator vitter, senator blumenthal, senator isakson, senator murphy and senator udall of new mexico that will fix a problem in the way c.b.o. is scoring the leasing of veterans' clinics. this amendment, if adopted, will have no impact on the deficit. it will allow veterans' clinics in 30 states to be able to finance their -- their buildings. it is something that must be done in order to solve this problem. the presiding officer: the senate will be in order. ms. landrieu: it's something that must be done to solve problems of these veterans, and i think we can take this by a voice vote. mr. sessions: mr. president, i believe -- i believe senator coburn would like to speak on this. mr. coburn: i understand what the senator from louisiana is trying to do, but it

ms. landrieu: we're happy to tell our colleagues we've worked 0 out and can take this by voice vote. i appreciate the senator's cooperation from oklahoma. we have no objection to providing the reports to the committee which he has requested, reports to the homeland security. however, many of these reports are expenditure plans and all we ask was the appropriations committee would receive them two weeks in advance. the senator has agreed to that. we have no objection and can take this by voice vote, madam chair. ms. mikulski: i believe we can agree to this amendment with a voice vote so i ask unanimous consent that the 60-vote threshold be waived for the amendment. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. is there further debate? if not, the question is on the amendment. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed, no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. ms. mikulski: move to lay on the table. move to reconsider. the presiding officer: without objection. a senator: ,mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to bring