[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4603-S4604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. REID. Madam President, at this time, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 56, 
the nomination of Thomas L. Strickland to be Assistant Secretary for 
Fish and Wildlife; that the nomination be confirmed and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; that no further motions be in order; 
that any statements relating to this nomination be printed in the 
Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's 
action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. McCONNELL. Reserving the right to object, let me say to my good 
friend the majority leader, there is at least one Member on my side who 
is not yet prepared to clear this matter. Therefore, I must, for the 
moment, object.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, we understood that the ranking member of 
the Environment and Public Works Committee--the committee that reported 
this--was the individual holding this up, so I talked to Senator 
Inhofe.

[[Page S4604]]

We had a good conversation. I called him back and he said he had no 
problem with Mr. Strickland. Obviously, this has been rolling around 
and somebody else has put a snag on it.
  I would now ask my friend, the Republican leader, if I ask unanimous 
consent for 4 hours of debate on this individual, would there be an 
objection to this?
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I would say to my friend, the 
majority leader, that I am not able, at this particular time, to enter 
into an agreement on this nomination.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, that is very unfortunate, but I 
understand.
  I now ask unanimous consent, as in executive session, that at a time 
to be determined by the majority leader, following consultation with 
the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to 
consider Calendar No. 62, the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to be 
Secretary of Health and Human Services; that there be 5 hours of debate 
with respect to this nomination, with the time equally divided and 
controlled between the leaders or their designees; that upon the use or 
yielding back of that time, the Senate proceed to a vote on 
confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius; that upon confirmation, the normal 
procedure of the Senate be followed and that following that we resume 
legislative session.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, reserving the right to object, this 
nomination came out of committee yesterday. It was fairly contentious. 
It was not a party-line vote, but a number of Members on my side 
opposed the nomination. So at least for today, I am not able to enter 
into a consent agreement on a time specific to consider the nomination 
of Governor Sebelius. I object.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, we need not quibble on the time. It came 
out Tuesday or Wednesday, and I understand people may want to look at 
this more closely. That is fine. It appears to me it wouldn't do me any 
good or the Senate any good to ask for more time at this time. No 
matter what time I set aside, the Republican leader couldn't agree now?
  Mr. McCONNELL. I would say to my friend, the majority leader, I 
cannot today agree to a time specific for consideration of this 
nomination.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, we have another individual who we feel 
should be approved, David Hayes, to be Deputy Secretary of the 
Interior. I would ask my friend, the Republican leader, if we suggested 
3 hours of debate under the conditions I outlined for the other two, is 
the Republican leader in a position to agree to have this nomination?
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I would say to my good friend, the 
majority leader, not at this time.

                          ____________________