Lord, preserve them, keeping them from stumbling or slipping. Enable them to rejoice because your goodness and mercies endure forever. May our senators remember that you love righteousness and justice. May this knowledge motivate them to follow your precepts, earnestly striving to glorify your holy name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington d. C. , february 12, 2016. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable mike rounds, a senator from the state of south dakota, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed orrin g. Hatch, president pro tempore. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presidi