Mr. President, I wish to speak for 2 minutes in general wrapup. There may be other Senators coming to the floor. I am hopeful we can lock in a time to vote on Cardin amendment No. 240 and the Snowe amendment No. 253. There are other…

Madam President, under the previous agreement that was reached last evening--and I want to thank both leaders, Senators Reid and McConnell, for working so hard with Senator Snowe and me to try to bring our caucuses to conclusion points on…

It's just not fair. I'm proud that we're making efforts on the family housing.

Madam President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of S. 493 and set aside the pending amendments so that I may call up the following two amendments en bloc. They are Cardin amendment No. 240 and Snowe amendment…

It's very important. Whether it's for homeland security or drug interdictions, or hurricanes, for that gulf coast region to have that kind of protection and reach.

If the gentleman has a parliamentary inquiry, I don't think that comes out of my time.

I appreciate the offer of the gentleman from California, but I cannot adhere to a United Nations framework. I cannot adhere to the ability for the EPA to continue to keep their nose under the tent to provide whether it's called ``technical…

I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.

I reclaim my time, Madam Chair, because I am talking specifically about the amendment. If I am allowed the opportunity to continue with my comments, I have to finish a thought first before we talk specifically about the amendment. First of…

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Louisiana is recognized for 5 minutes.

Madam Chair, we are here today because the EPA has continued to push this effort to pass a national energy tax. It was tried through cap-and-trade over the last year and a half. That bill went through the legislative process and was…

So looking at our strategy going forward, I think America and the United States has to stand for something beyond just the short-term approach to dictatorships.

All that said, Libyan dictator Gadhafi is not exactly a partner in the war on terror.

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The…

I would say in the long term, dealing and backing a lot of these dictatorships has not produced the type of stability or produced the type of security that we would want.

I would say--let's start with Libya, where I think the Obama administration has rightly intervened to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.