[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         VETERANS' BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED


                             Cloture Motion

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I spoke to the minority leader last evening 
and indicated to him that I was going to move to the Veterans' Benefits 
Act. As a result of that, I have no alternative--not speaking to him 
but not having heard back--I have no alternative but to file cloture on 
this matter. Otherwise, of course, another day would be lost. So I am 
disappointed that I need to file this. This is a veterans' benefits 
enhancement bill. I would hope that on Monday, we could have Senator 
Akaka and his ranking member be allowed to move to this legislation. We 
have already announced there will be no votes tomorrow or on Monday. It 
would sure be good if we could do that.
  In view of the situation we have here, I have no alternative but to 
move to proceed to S. 1315, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under 
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the cloture motion.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

       We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the 
     provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, 
     hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to 
     proceed to Calendar No. 336, S. 1315, the Veterans' Benefits 
     Enhancement Act.
         Harry Reid, Daniel K. Akaka, Barbara Boxer, Patty Murray, 
           Byron L. Dorgan, Edward M. Kennedy, Christopher J. 
           Dodd, Benjamin L. Cardin, Patrick J. Leahy, Bernard 
           Sanders, Sherrod Brown, Amy Klobuchar, Richard Durbin, 
           Ken Salazar, Sheldon Whitehouse, Max Baucus, Daniel K. 
           Inouye.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, 
April 22, following a period of morning business, the Senate resume 
consideration of the motion to proceed and the time until 12 noon be 
equally divided and controlled between the leaders or their designees; 
that at noon, the Senate proceed to a vote on a motion to invoke 
cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1315; further, that the 
mandatory quorum be waived.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.




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