Acting now to develop a credible program to reduce future deficits would not only enhance economic growth and stability in the long run.

It is not our intention to do anything in particular on the international front.

Foreclosures continue to be very high. There have been sincere government efforts to try to address the problem.

I think in some cases that has been the case, and that as I have said, the Federal Reserve, we understand--we have a responsibility to keep banks safe and sound as best we can.

``Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States. If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his…

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to welcome the four new members of the South Carolina delegation to the 112th Congress. This past election, the voters of South Carolina let their voices be heard. The message was loud and clear: limit spending…

You lie.

I hope the Tea Party will come to Washington and change the whole dynamic that led to this fiscal mess we're in, starting with spending.

Madam Speaker, I rise to express my concerns about the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6523, the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The Senate amendment struck Title XVII of the underlying bill, once again…

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to welcome the addition of a new congressional seat to my home State of South Carolina, one of America's fastest growing States. The Census Bureau announced the State's population has grown enough to merit one…

Madam Speaker, today I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to a dedicated staffer in the office of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. Pepper Pennington will be leaving the office to become chief of staff for…

Mr. President, it is a week before Christmas. I don't know where we will be next week. All I can say is, the Senate is taking up some very important matters--the don't ask, don't tell repeal. The Marine Corps Commandant said he believes…

Mr. President, I think Senator McCain asked I be recognized for 5 minutes. If that is correct, I would like to proceed. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is correct.

Let's stop there. The Omnibus appropriations bill was defeated last night; is that correct?

Thank you. Feelings are getting a bit raw here and there is no use blaming anybody. It is hard to reach a consensus on how to fund the government. There was an effort to do it that fell apart that I thought was against the mandate of the…

OK. And those negotiations have resulted in a vote in the House last night. What else have we done? Was there an effort to pass the Defense appropriations bill without any ability to amend it, I ask Senator McCain? Mr. KERRY addressed the…

It is my understanding, the majority leader said on the floor of the Senate: Our goal is to try to get out by the 18th because we do not want to be here on Christmas Eve like we were last time. I think that was music to most of our ears…

I apologize. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. McCAIN. My only answer to that is, yes. There was a lot of work and effort and time spent on that issue, yes.