Madam President, I came to the floor this evening to address what is known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, but before I do that, I wish to applaud Senator Coons for his work on the master limited partnerships legislation. I think it is a…

My friend from Alaska and I, as she pointed out, represent States neither of which has a sales tax. Would the Senator agree with me that if this passes it sets a dangerous precedent that says at any point this Congress could impose on…

Mr. President, I rise to associate myself with the comments from the senior Senator from Maine on this amendment. I consider it virtually a technical amendment. It simply changes the implementation date under the bill so that companies…

Madam President, I rise to urge the Senate to confirm the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I do so with great pride because Sylvia Burwell is from my home State of West Virginia. I…

In 1998, Sylvia's last year in the White House and the first year at OMB, the Federal budget had a $69.3 billion surplus, the first surplus in a generation. Sylvia has been out of government for the last 12 years. But I am confident she…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for 20 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. National Challenges

I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 5 minutes. At that time, I wish to be able to turn it over to the Senator from Iowa. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I rise today with some humility because I rise in the footsteps of one of Maine's greatest Senators, Olympia Snowe. I am fortunate enough to succeed her in this seat. In the midst of the campaign a year or so ago, I also…

It sure is a States rights issue. I would be remiss if I didn't say this. I know my colleague has to leave. But in my first term as Governor, I had never heard of Mike Enzi. Who is this Mike Enzi guy? It turns out he is a great guy. He is…

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss mine safety, a critical issue to my state and the tens of thousands of miners across the Nation. Earlier this month we observed the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster which killed…

Madam President, I wish to join with the Senator from Georgia. There are issues we disagree on, but this is a subject we agree on--another one we agree on. I was privileged to be the Governor of Delaware for 8 years, and now I have served…

Mr. President, I rise this morning to introduce legislation. The legislation is entitled the ``Dependable Air Service Act.'' It is a very simple, straightforward solution to the issue of the furloughs of air traffic controllers, and I…

I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Hoeven pertaining to the introduction of S. 794 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'') Madam President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the…

Mr. President, I come to the floor to commend my esteemed colleague from the State of North Dakota, Senator Heitkamp, on giving her maiden address this morning. She is not only someone I have known for a long time and worked with for a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak up to 15 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Science and Space of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on April 23, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. in…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and the Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 23, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on…