question is: is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of stephen g. burns of maryland to be a member of the nuclear regulatory commission, shall be brought to a close? the yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. the clerk will call the roll. vote: vote: the presiding officer: have all senators voted? does any senator wish to change his or her vote? if not, on this vote the yeas are 54, the nays are 37, and the motion is agreed to. the clerk will report the nomination. the clerk: stephen g. burns of maryland to be member of the nuclear regulatory commission. ms. mikulski: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. ms. mikulski: madam president, parliamentary question, has the senate returned to legislative discussion? the presiding officer: we are in executive session postcloture on the burns nomination. ms. mikulski: well, thank -- madam president, i ask unanimous consent that i could speak as if in morning business. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. mikulski: thank you very much, madam president. well, there's the se