[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 135 (Thursday, October 3, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.J. RES. 70
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I want to raise as a preliminary matter
under rule XIX of the Senate Rules, no Senator shall in debate directly
or indirectly by any form of words impute to another Senator or to
other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.
I want to remind all our colleagues that when they talk about Members
of the Senate who are not on the floor and not here or able to defend
themselves, I think if not the letter of the rule, certainly the spirit
is in jeopardy of being transgressed, and I think we don't want to head
down that path.
I would point out that we have witnessed, with some dismay, many of
our World War II veterans being turned away at the World War II
Memorial here in Washington, DC.
A number of these Honor Flights come from my State. There will be one
that comes here tomorrow afternoon. I intend to meet them and welcome
them to Washington and visit the World War II Memorial with them.
These gentlemen and ladies are quite advanced in years, and for many
of them--like, for example, my father-in-law who landed on Utah Beach
on the second day of the Normandy invasion, his physical health is not
such that he could come. But he would love to come to the Memorial.
Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield for a question?
Mr. CORNYN. I will not yield for a question at this time. I will at a
later time.
He would love to visit the World War II Memorial. Unfortunately, his
health is not such that he can. But those who can are coming to
Washington. There will be one from Fort Worth coming on Tuesday, and I
intend to meet them and to welcome them. They should not be turned back
because of this politically concocted government shutdown--one that the
President and the majority leader seem to be enjoying but which is
causing a lot of hardship and inconvenience.
The House of Representatives has passed a separate piece of
legislation that would open the World War II Memorial, along with other
national park services. I would note it got 252 votes in the House of
Representatives yesterday, including 23 Democrats. I hope it would
enjoy the same sort of bipartisan support in the Senate.
I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate
consideration of H.J. Res. 70, making continuing appropriations for
National Park Service operations, which was received from the House;
that the measure be read three times and passed; and the motion to
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, I ask unanimous consent that
their request be modified as follows: That an amendment, which is at
the desk, be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read
a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made
and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
Mr. CORNYN. I object.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to the original
request?
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, may I inquire. Did the majority leader
object to my unanimous consent request or seek to amend it?
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection has not yet been heard.
Is there objection?
Mr. REID. I object.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The objection is heard.
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