[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 924]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

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                         NOMINATION DISCHARGED

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to executive session, that the Agriculture Committee be 
discharged of PN 1112, the nomination of Ed Schafer, to be Secretary of 
Agriculture; that the Senate proceed to the nomination, that the 
nomination be confirmed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table; that any statements relating to the nomination be printed in the 
Record, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, 
and the Senate return to legislative session.
  My understanding is this was cleared on both sides. I am particularly 
proud to make this request. Former Governor Schafer is a distinguished 
former Governor from our State. It is a great honor for our State to 
have him nominated.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. BOND. Reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I 
wish to join with the Senator from North Dakota, who is doing a fine 
thing. We appreciate the support on both sides of the aisle. We 
obviously need a good and strong Secretary of Agriculture, and we are 
pleased to see this body move forward. I do not object. I thank the 
sponsors.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, might I also say as we ask for the consent 
that my colleague, Senator Conrad, worked very hard to accomplish this 
in the Agriculture Committee. He joins me as well.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:


                       department of agriculture

       Ed Schafer, of North Dakota, to be Secretary of 
     Agriculture.

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