Mitch Landrieu: “as the majority leader stated a moment ago, I also thank Senators Stevens and Inouye, who worked here very late last…”

“as the majority leader stated a moment ago, I also thank Senators Stevens and Inouye, who worked here very late last night as we got to the end of the debate on the Defense bill. Of course, under the rules we have established, we could speak on that bill for up to 30 hours. Those 30 hours will be coming to an end at 9:15 under the rules of cloture. Throughout the 30 hours as we debate this very important bill which funds our military men and women and continues their operations moving forward and helps to try to find a solution in Iraq and allocates resources to keep our military strong, we also have been talking a great deal about keeping strong right here at home, particularly keeping strong in the areas that need strength and support right now. That area, of course, is the gulf coast of our Nation, the great energy coast, the great trade coast, the great commerce coast. There are so many important parts of that coast, but the largest city, of course, in the middle of that coast is New Orleans, my hometown. We have spent a lot of time this week talking about how we can get the help we have promised to this region, to all the people of this region who have suffered.…”