Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3949, which was received from the House.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of Senator Merkley.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 16; further, that 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 their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Otting nomination.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preamble, where applicable, be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 332, S. Res. 333, and S. Res. 334.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1545 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 258, S. 807.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, that at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 16, there be 30 minutes of postcloture time remaining on the Otting nomination, equally divided between the leaders or their designees, and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote on the confirmation of the Otting nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. I further ask consent that following disposition of the Otting nomination, the Senate vote on the pending cloture motions on the Coggins and Friedrich nominations in the order filed, and that if cloture is invoked, the postcloture time on the nominations run consecutively.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate an institution in Spencer County marking 150 years of community journalism in Kentucky, the Spencer Magnet. Since the weekly newspaper began operations in 1867, it has covered celebrations, tragedies, wars, elections, and so much more. Today the Spencer Magnet is the oldest continuously operated business in Spencer County and reaches more than 4,000 homes each week. Over the years, the paper has operated under different names with different owners. In 1925, the paper came under the ownership of Katie Beauchamp, and she changed its name from the Spencer Courier to its current title. She justified the new name because it matched her mission for the paper, to serve as a means to draw the people of Spencer County together. For 150 years, the paper has done just that. The publication covered national and international news, but the Spencer Magnet's focus on community journalism has endeared it to many of my constituents in the area. As the Spencer County community looks back on its history, it recognizes great successes and painful challenges, but the journalism from this newspaper has been a constant presence in community through it all. To properly mark its sesquicentennial anniversary, the Spencer Magnet is rededicating itself to its mission to draw the community together. The population of Spencer County continues to grow and change. Now, many residents work in Louisville and then come home to the rural Spencer County to escape the city. Whatever the future may bring, the Spencer Magnet stands ready to deliver the news to its readers. Kentucky is home to many community newspapers, which have their finger on the pulse of their readers. Organizations like the Spencer Magnet are incredibly important for chronicling our past and for shaping the news of tomorrow. I am proud to help the Spencer Magnet celebrate this anniversary. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Spencer Magnet on many years of reporting. Mr. President, earlier this year, the Spencer Magnet published an article reflecting on its years of community reporting. I ask unanimous consent that excerpts of the article be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 486 and 487.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that with respect to the Bradbury nomination, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 463; further, that there be up to 10 minutes of debate on the nomination, equally divided in the usual form, and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the Esper nomination, all postcloture time on Executive Calendar No. 383 be considered expired.

Mr. McCONNELL. For the information of all Senators, there will be three rollcall votes at 12 noon tomorrow.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 318 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; the amendment to the preamble, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 121, S. 534.

Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute amendment be withdrawn; that the substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 15; further, that 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 their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Zatezalo nomination.