Successfully on a voice vote back in september. Mark kearney is the other gentleman that well be voting on in a short time. Hes a graduate of villanova law school. A very successful attorney. Managing shareholder, as i think senator casey pointed out, at the firm where he has been for 24 years. He practices commercial litigation. Mr. Kearney is highly respected by his colleagues. He received the highest rating in the martindal erating system. He has put a lot of time and energy into an issue that is very important to me, mr. President , and that is protecting children from dangerous predators. Mr. Kearney has worked with the Montgomery County Child Advocacy project, representing abused children, and i commend him for that service. Mr. Kearney has also enjoyed bipartisan support in the senate, also being voice voted out by the Senate Judiciary committee, reflecting unanimous support for his candidacy. I think its just very clear and i believe strongly that both mr. Pappert and mr. Kearn
The presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If not, on this vote, the yeas are 76, the nays are 16. The nomination is confidence. Is confirmed. Under the previous order, there will be two minutes of debate prior to a vote on the grigsby nomination. Who yields time . Mr. Leahy madam president . Madam president . The presiding officer the senator vermont. Mr. Leahy madam president , on the griggsby nomination, i have a statement which i will include in the record as though read, and i yield back all time. The presiding officer without objection. The question is on the nomination. All in favor say aye. All opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The nomination is confirmed. Under the previous order, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the president will be immediately be notified of the senates action. Under the previous order, there will be two minutes of debate prior to a v
Few weeks. Mark had the responsibility of reforming the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It was long overdue. That commission was not exercising its authority and wasnt keeping americans safe as it should. Mark stepped up in a bipartisan fashion, he stepped up, and he ended up strengthening the Consumer Product Safety Commission through his efforts on the Senate Commerce committee. That will keep toxic toys out of stores. Many people recognize what mark pryor contributed in that effort. Parent magazine applauded mark pryor as one of the three movers and shakers in washington in 2005 for his work on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, work that will continue to keep america safer. Consumer protection has always been a hallmark of Marks Service dating back to his days as arkansas aattorney general and certainly as United States senator. Fewer than 2,000 men and women have ever had the privilege of serving in the United States senate in our entire history. With hundreds of millions
The first time i went to the kingdom, it was in a prior job. The first call i made was to fran to say, what can you give me for advice . I would echo what fran says. The key factor is, youre going to represent the president. Whether it is saudi arabia, which weve had a close, terrorism partnership, or, frankly, yemen, which ive been to more than anybody in the administration in the last year for sure. Very different environments, but the key point is, i have been sent as the president s emissary, and that is important to the president with whom im meeting in yemen are going to turkey are going and seeing the king of jordan. The same doors are open because i am going at the request of the president with a message from the president , with specific things to discuss on the president. And that is the key. Annemarie slaughter wrote one of the best covers. To be fair, i dont think she was thrilled with the title. Nonetheless, it sold a lot. She is a book deal and it is working well. Michele
Folks joining us. After the close today, we have some big earnings out. Hewlettpackard. That tech bellwether, of course. The gap. Well get those numbers right after the close today. A latebreaking story this afternoon. Billionaire mark cuban making some headlines today in an interview about racial issues in lift Donald Sterling l. A. Clippers saga. Mark admits to his own prejudices and bigotry. In no way were the comments comparable to what Donald Sterling said, but does this put the nba in a position where it has to respond. Will sterling try to drag down cuban with him . So many questions. Youll hear what cuban said in his own words. A full report is coming up in a little while. With an hour to go into the close, the dow is up 28 points. 1,6561 is the level. S p 500 finally up eight. Joining us on our Closing Bell Exchange for this thursday before big holiday weekend, heather hughes, peter andrews, jim lowell, Gerard Fitzpatrick and our own rick santelli. He should be in there somewh