The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Our gracious god and friend, great is your fanalfulness. Guard our senators. As they wait expectantly for your salvation, may they never stumble in the darkness. Lord, protect their minds with your instructions so that they will not deviate from the path o integrity. May they follow your directions and embrace your counsel so that america can be like a shining city on a hill. Give their petitions your personal attention so that no weapon formed against them will prosper. Let praises cascade from their lips and your promises ring from their tongues, o god of our salvation. We pray in your merciful name. Amen. The president pro tempore pleae join me in reciting the pledge f allegiance. 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 just