on the bill has failed twice. yesterday, and last week. this is live coverage on c-span2. the presiding officer: the senate will come to order. the guest chaplain will lead the senate in prayer.

our guest chaplain is father claude pomerleau from the university of portland, portland, oregon. the guest chaplain: let us pray. use awe merciful and gracious father, may this day begin with an

Speech By: Guest Chaplain

attentive abashed silence, in which we stop and humbly consider the many gifts you give us, the immeasurable mercy of your love, the many opportunities we have to witness and celebrate your creation.

we thank you for the challenges of this day. we thank you for the brains and hearts you give us to bring to bear on cruelty and brokenness. we thank you for the creativity and compassion you give us, so that

we may craft policies that heal and elevate, and make room for the peace and joy that are your greatest gifts to all. lord, be with us today. be in this room. walk with us. strengthen our hearts.

deepen our mercy. open our ears. overcome our weaknesses. guide our dreams. make us the instruments not of the small matters of men and women but of the endless love that is you. most of all,

today, help us remember that our greatest charge is to craft a world in which the children of this nation, and the children of every nation, can find the love and hope they deserve. with humility,