[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1945-S1946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PLANT PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I wish to engage my colleague, 
Chairwoman Mikulski, in a colloquy. I thank the Senator for her 
important work in bringing this bill to the Senate.
  However, I would like clarification on Section 735 of Division A of 
the bill. This provision requires that the Secretary of Agriculture, if 
requested, issue temporary permits or temporary deregulation in the 
event a genetically engineered crop deregulation is set aside or 
vacated as unlawful. As you know, I oppose this provision and have deep 
concerns about its impact. I wish to confirm my understanding, even 
though this provision does not operate through a restriction of funds 
in this act, it is in effect only for the duration of the continuing 
resolution.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. TESTER. I thank the Senator.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 11:15 a.m. 
tomorrow, all postcloture time on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute 
amendment be considered expired, the Durbin second-degree amendment to 
115 be withdrawn with no other second-degree amendment in order; that 
the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Toomey amendment No. 115; 
that upon disposition of the Toomey amendment, the Senate then proceed 
to vote on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment, as amended; that 
upon disposition of the substitute amendment, the Senate proceed to the 
cloture vote on the underlying bill; finally, if cloture is invoked, 
the 30 hours postcloture begin to run as if cloture were invoked at 1 
a.m. on Wednesday, March 20.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.

[[Page S1946]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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