I return to work today to this great body with a renewed spirit and a sharper focus.

Doctors at a Washington hospital say South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson is improving.

His medical problems have threatened to cost the Democrats their slim majority in the Senate.

The money was -- was -- was proposed to be provided a year ago. Second, you know, it -- it -- just is -- is frustrating that -- and -- and -- and -- and...

This Senator's condition could have huge political ramifications here in Washington.

I believe Congress and DoD must work together to improve the financial literacy of our service members and crack down on abusive and truly predatory practices by any lender.

I think it is easy for us to sit here in a committee room and say that, Well, these military personnel should just forego getting credit.

I appreciate that the Committee is meeting today to address this issue of critical importance.

I share DoD's concern about service members falling into a cycle of debt whether through inappropriate use of credit cards, payday loans, or other forms of credit.

It seems to me that they ought to be able to part with at least some of them for some of the housing crisis problems we have in Indian country.

It seems to me that FEMA ought to be more creative, ought to be more innovative, ought to be thinking outside of their own little jurisdictional box.