I am for creative financing, for leveraging the best that we can particularly as it relates to the private sector.

Well, and I am just going to underscore the point that the transportation funding proposals in the past have enjoyed broader support because it is called a user fee.

I think some of us get concerned as to whether we are delaying fiscal reality as far as making sure the revenues are there to finance a 6-year program.

My, I guess, major concern is that as you look at the historical way that we have financed transportation programs using a gasoline tax...

The Highway Trust Fund and its revenue sources--namely the gas tax--have been a reliable mechanism for financing highway and transit programs for five decades.

It may have worked in the past, but it will no longer work today or in the future because part of our energy policy must be to use less fossil fuels.

I understand the need to invest now, but I can tell you 5 years from now you are not going to be able to buy as much with the same dollars as today.

A critical part of U.S. energy policy will be in the area of increased energy conservation and energy efficiency.

We need to invest in a stronger transportation infrastructure.

I think we are well positioned to bring a bill out, thanks to your leadership.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll, and the following Senators entered the Chamber and answered to their names…

Mr. President, the Senate will have a cloture vote shortly on the motion to proceed to S. 3816. I hope that we will overcome a procedural roadblock to the Senate considering this legislation and proceed to the bill and pass it. While the…

I keep thinking about these women in my district, many of whom are head of household, single mothers, and we all know the stories.

I am proud that this Congress has taken the issue of wage discrimination seriously.

Pay inequality doesn't just harm individual workers, it harms families and our nation's economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 and urge its adoption without any further delay. Small businesses are the engine of our economy. They employ half of all private sector workers and have…

Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for the DREAM Act amendment to the 2010 National Defense Administration Act. This is bipartisan legislation that provides sound economic and national security benefits to our Nation. I have…

Madam President, I thank Senator Harkin for his leadership on this issue in opposing the Senate Joint Resolution 30. I join him in urging my colleagues to oppose the resolution. The National Mediation Board is an important entity. They…