May 7, 1980
Page 10267
NOMINATION OF EDMUND S. MUSKIE
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at the hour of 3:30 p.m. today the Senate go into executive session for not to exceed 15 minutes, 5 minutes to be under the control of Mr. HELMS, 5 minutes under the control of Mr. CHURCH, and 5 minutes under the control of Mr. JAVITS, on the nomination of Mr. MUSKIE. Immediately upon the disposition of the vote the Senate will return to legislative session, following the motion to reconsider and the motion to table, and then notifying the President, but over all not to exceed 15 minutes.
Mr. STEVENS. Reserving the right to object and I shall not object, we have cleared this with the Senator from New York and the minority leader. This does apply to waiving some of the rules with regard to nominations. Under the circumstances, I have no objection.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished acting Republican leader.
I ask unanimous consent that all Senators may have until the close of business today to insert their statements as in executive session on the nomination.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD subsequently said: Mr. President, I forgot a moment ago to express my thanks to the distinguished minority leader for his assistance in clearing the nomination of Mr. MUSKIE for action by the Senate today. I inadvertently overlooked that, so I express my thanks to him now.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order now, as in executive session, to order the yeas and nays on the nomination of Mr. MUSKIE.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I thank the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma for yielding.