I have started a bipartisan technology transfer caucus to begin to look at ideas and ideals around the Bayh-Dole legislation.

Thank you for your commitment to job creation and making America a leader in technology and innovation.

I appreciate the Administration's commitment to research and development and innovation as key to the Nation's economic development.

Mr. President, in accordance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have the rules governing the procedure of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources printed in the Record. There…

These super PACs are not independent PACs. They are arms of the campaign and I think most people recognize that.

In January 2010, the Supreme Court issued its disastrous opinion in Citizens United v. FEC.

No, nor do I think the solution to it, as I said before, is to remove the contribution limits.

Do you see, when we are moving down the road, as we get into 2012 and 2014, where we have elections where the combined spending of super PACs and independent expenditures are well beyond what the candidates are spending?

I don't think we can truly fix this broken system until we undo the flawed premise that spending money on elections is the same thing as free speech.

I believe Senator Bennet, our friend out in Colorado, told us that the combined expenditures, total independent expenditures, far overwhelmed both--the totals for both candidates, both Democrat and Republican.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cardin). The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

The damage is clear. Elections become more about the quantity of cash and less about the quality of ideas.

The quality of our surface transportation system directly impacts the quality of our economy.

We must recognize the toll of our transportation system on our environment.

I thank the Chair and I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma. Amendment No. 7, as Modified

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my pending amendments, Nos. 49 and 51, be modified with the changes that I have at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendments are so…

We must ensure that it maintains our Nation's major highways, like interstates 10, 25 and 40, through New Mexico.

Our Nation's transportation infrastructure is struggling. Many would say that it is even failing.