Mitch Landrieu

one of the reasons I come to the floor this morning is to speak about an issue that I brought up on the floor, now many times, and so has the other Senator from Louisiana and Members of our delegation, as well as Members from the Gulf…

Yes, I would. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator is recognized as in morning business.

I have not yet expressed an objection, but I am considering it on the grounds--I am not yet expressing objection, but I am considering it, respectfully, having complimented the junior Senator for the great work he has done, because I am…

I can appreciate that. If you don't mind me pursuing that line of questioning. I can most certainly appreciate what the junior Senator is saying about the reluctance of the House of Representatives and the administration at this point…

it has been a very long day. I am hoping, as this day continues into the evening hours, as we continue to work on the underlying bill, which is the Defense appropriations bill, to have an amendment dealing with Hurricane Katrina in a way…

I would be happy to, and I thank the Senator for his leadership because the Grassley-Baucus bill does a couple of important things that are essential for the rebuilding and emergency needs of a population--not just the poor but the middle…

Just 1 minute. Let me finish. The Senate is not necessarily the problem. We have been amazingly bipartisan. Our committee chairs and ranking members, as the Senator knows, have done yeoman's work. And in the Small Business Committee that…

I do not know, I say to Senator Durbin. That is a puzzlement for us. I do not have a good answer for that. All I can say is there are 2 million people displaced, many towns are destroyed, many communities, both urban and suburban, rural as…

I object. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator may debate. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I ask to speak for as much time as I may consume. I understand there will be other amendments that may be offered. We are trying to debate and pass the Defense appropriations bill. I thank the Senator from Alaska and the Senator from…

as we consider many important amendments to this underlying bill, I will take just a moment to speak about this amendment which I offer that will call the attention of my colleagues to the important investments that we should be making in…

I call up amendment No. 1942. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Louisiana [Ms. Landrieu] proposes an amendment numbered 1942.