We need to monitor carefully China's developing ability to execute anti-access and area denial strategies and develop mitigating approaches.

I have some general concerns about the ability of the Navy to accommodate what appears to be a significant amount of growth over the next few years in the realm of missile defense.

the baseline force that we have has to be maintained.

Is the current business the nomination of Patricia Smith? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Smith nomination is before the Senate.

Mr. President, I reluctantly rise to oppose moving forward with the nomination of Patricia Smith. I do not do so easily nor happily because I believe the President of the United States has the right to make appointments, and I think within…

I ask to be recognized for up to 10 minutes as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, I rise tonight following on the heels of three more bank closings in my State last Friday; not new banks, one of them over 60 years old, one of them over 100 years old. I want to talk for a few minutes tonight about the…

I called Senator Johnny Isakson, the individual who empowered this board.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the actions of the House of Representatives in addressing poverty in America and designating January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. I strongly support H. Res. 1024 and urge my colleagues to…

Madam Speaker, it is difficult to comprehend the depth of tragedy and sorrow that has visited the poor island of Haiti. It is difficult to convey the depth of our sympathy and shock at the catastrophe that has befallen the Haitian people…

Mr. President, I come before this Chamber to speak about good news. The Mine Safety and Health Administration confirmed that 2009 was the safest year in the history of American mining. As many of us have learned in the course of our lives…

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Chambliss to endorse the confirmation and hopefully unanimous confirmation of Judge Beverly Martin to the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. I thank President Obama for sending…

I ask unanimous consent that all time be yielded back and that we move to the nomination of Beverly Martin. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, is the Senate still in morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in morning business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I rise today to speak on behalf of a good friend, a very fine jurist, Judge Beverly Martin, who has been nominated by President Obama to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. I have had the good fortune of knowing Judge Martin, who is a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak under the time allotted to Senator Sessions and that I be followed by my colleague Senator Isakson. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Georgia is…

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the resolve to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 30th anniversary of the Stevie Wonder tribute to Dr. King, ``Happy Birthday''. This resolve was introduced by chairman of the House…