I think right now Gulf seafood is probably the safest most-tested food in the world because of this.

I think what is most irritating, we have been trying to get a meeting with the President to talk specifically about this issue.

If challenging the President to a game of one-on-one basketball gets me a meeting with him, so we can talk about this crisis that has led to thousands of job losses and higher gas prices, I will be happy to challenge the President to…

I wanted to ask you about a comment you had referring to use it or lose it provisions in leases.

It seems like this administration has shifted policies away from energy exploration in America.

You are going to strive to increase our American energy security when, in fact, you have got the President initiating policies that close off more areas of our known resources?

I think it is inaccurate for them to say it is systemic.

I would hope you wouldn't think that it is the entire industry that is at fault.

Is that Senator Vitter's amendment? Senator Vitter was here, so I wanted him to have the opportunity to offer his. It doesn't matter to me in what order.

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 (Mr. Bennet). Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, I thank Ranking Member Snowe and, according to the previous agreement, I think we are going to move to a quorum call at this point. Within a short period of time, I think the leadership is going to lay down two amendments…

Madam President, I appreciate the cooperation of both leaders to help us get to the floor this morning for a debate on this very important piece of legislation and one that we have actually and, unfortunately, struggled with for the last…

Mr. President, I thank Senator Snowe. I could not have a better partner on this committee. Her expertise is noted and admired among the Members. She has served as a member of this committee-- oftentimes its chair--for many years. I…

Mr. President, CONNECT, which is out of the University of California, is another important player in this particular field, and Dawnbreaker, a commercialization company. They were part of helping us forge this important compromise. I also…

The Senator and Senator McConnell have an amendment. There is an amendment pending. We only have a minute and a half. I wish to call to the attention of the Chair, Senator Vitter has an amendment which we will take up to discuss later this…

Mr. President, according to the agreement, we are going to break now at 12:30 and take up this debate this afternoon and stay on this bill with open debate. Hopefully, it can be productive and cordial and then, hopefully, we can move to…

Mr. President, we will break now and come back and resume our debate at 2:15. ____________________

Mr. President, I understand Senator Inhofe and Senator Vitter are both on the floor to offer amendments to the SBIR and STIR Program. Are we under a consent agreement? The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are not.