Senate is ready to meet with executive nominations, votes coming up at noon eastern. Live coverage of the senate here on cspan2. Reverend brooks let us pray. O god, we first thank thee for another day of life. We thank you for the chance to bring joy and opportunity to someone elses journey. Lord, guide these Public Servants within the United States senate. Please lead them as they lead us to a better and more peaceful landscape. Create, o god, within all of us the zeal to make our communities around this country more stable. Remove from us, o god, any personal animosity that might prevent us from acting as my brother or sisters keeper. We ask your healing on those members of this legislative body who are injured or sick. We ask, o lord, that you would extend comfort and peace to those families that have been affected by the tragedy in sutter link springs, texas, even in the midst of this tragedy. We thank you, that those 26 fellow sojourners are in your loving presence, a celestial pl
And direct their way, training them in your school of humility so that they will strive to bring glory to you. We pray in 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. , december 12, 2017. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable ben sasse, a senator from the state of nebraska, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed orrin g. Hatch, president pro tempore. The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell yesterday the senate advanced the nomination of Leonard Stephen grasz to be a judge on the eighth Circuit Court of appeals. Mr. Grasz has sterling credentials
Mark dayton announced he chose tina smith to fill senator al franken seat until the november election to complete the final two years of senator frankens term. We will likely hear remarks about senate designate tina smith on the floor of the senate today. Live coverage of the u. S. Senate here on cspan2. 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 father in heaven, thank you that our lifes pilgrimage is a process and discovery. Open our eyes today that we may see wonderful things in your precepts, gaining wisdom from your word. Help our lawmakers to strive to ensure that their thoughts, words, and deeds will please you. Today, we surrender to your providence, trusting you to order our steps. Lord, teach us to illuminate our world with the wisdom of your divine insights so that your will may be done on earth. Transform lifes deserts so that they blossom like roses. Bring Flowing Spr
Circuit judge, you could look at what he had decided. We could look, mr. President , you, and i and other members of the senate could look at what he decided and anticipate what his record would look like and it makes a difference. I have no doubt that President Trump will continue to nominate judges who will rule as Justice Scalia, the last vacancy created with the unfortunate loss of Justice Scalia who served on the Supreme Court for 26 years after the person that nominated him left the white house and 13 years after president reagan died. So the legacy of what happens here is important. Justice scalia became profound in his sense that the judge the work of the court was not to decide what the legislature should have done. The work of the court was to decide what the law said and what the constitution said and there are ways to change the law and there are ways to amend the constitution. But a person who is on the court needs to look at what the constitution and the law say. Thats wh
Based in new orleans. Now live floor coverage here on cspan2. 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. O lord our god, we are grateful for your marvelous works and power. Keep us from becoming weary in doing what is right, as you remind us about a harvest of blessing is certain. Give strength to our lawmakers and bless them with your peace. We praise you that you are the strength of our lives and we need not fear for the future. As you guid guide our senators h your wisdom create in them a hunger and thirst for righteou righteousness preparing them to be filled with your divine nourishment. Lord, thank you for not withholding blessings from those who walk upright. We pray in your great name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it