I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, first of all, let me thank Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chairwoman of our committee, and Howard Berman for their fine work in helping to bring this very important legislation to the…

It is a distinct privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, the author of the original International Religious Freedom Act, an…

Mr. President, I listened carefully to our colleague from Louisiana and note a particular distinction that her State brings; that is, the number of natural disaster problems that State has had and how diligently Senator Landrieu has fought…

I ask unanimous consent to be able to speak for up to 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I appreciate the passion of the Senator from Louisiana and her personal experience from Louisiana on the consequences of disaster. She speaks from firsthand knowledge and speaks for all of us in this respect. I rise today…

Mr. President, I wanted to come to the floor to talk about the deal the Senate will vote on sometime later tonight or tomorrow. Before I do, I want to say to my distinguished colleague from North Dakota, the chairman of the Budget…

Mr. President, there are no easy answers to our current dilemma. The majority leader's proposal is the best option we have to overcome the bipartisan impasse. Failure to increase the debt limit is not an option. Working families cannot…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 15 minutes in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, we have arrived at a moment of truth: The American economy and our standing in the world hang in the balance as a result of the Republican plan to derail the functioning of our country and bring about the precarious prospect…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 15 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator may speak for up to 15 minutes. ____________________

I have the greatest amount of respect for the chairman of our committee, the Ways and Means Committee. But I think you're wrong on what you're trying to do today. Do you remember May 31 of this year, Mr. Chairman? We took a vote May 31. In…

Mr. President, I think it is obvious to the world around us that the atmosphere here is hardly one of comfort or satisfaction. The public does not see the agony of the debate that is taking place, as we watch how dysfunctional the…

We have less than 1 week to prevent our Nation from defaulting on its loans. Rather than focusing on a compromise, the majority has come up with yet another irresponsible plan to raise the debt ceiling and slash funding from programs that…

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 440. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from…

Mr. President, there are so many things here we can disagree about, but I wish to say thank you to all of my colleagues. One hundred of us have joined together in overwhelming numbers to support this historic legislation which creates a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for up to 15 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 237 which was submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the title of the resolution. The legislative clerk read as…

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the…