Thank you again for your specific recommendation about Clean Water Act fines related to the event. I just want to underscore, particularly for my colleagues, you all specifically recommended that we legislate and dedicate 80 percent of the…

to me, moving forward in Louisiana and on the Gulf, I think the single most important recommendation of your report is that we, in Congress, with the President, dedicate a significant portion of the fines related to this incident under the…

We think this cap is a, obviously 20 years out of date.

the Administration is comfortable with the regulations because there has been two permits issued, so I think that really ends that debate.

the industry is developing impressive new well containment technologies and there are new standards being established within the industry itself.

We believe it is very important to see this as an opportunity to do something that has been long needed.

When we think about burdens on small businesses, I have to harken back to the burdens that the new health care law is going to add on small businesses, large businesses and on job creation in this country.

I think it is unwarranted.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thanks to my colleagues for their courtesies and cooperation. At this point, I move to temporarily set aside the pending amendment and to call up Vitter amendment No. 178. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there…

Mr. President, I want to briefly preview an amendment, Vitter amendment No. 178, which I will formally call up this afternoon about 2:45. This is a spending amendment to get back to what I believe is the central challenge we face as a…

We recommend that there be a reexamination of what would be the appropriate level of, the appropriateness of having any cap.

if the liability cap is too low and is not reflective of the real economic consequences, then the cost is not going to go away.

Mr. President, right before lunch, I laid the groundwork for this amendment, so let me quickly summarize. This is one of a series of amendments that conservatives are bringing to the floor that go to our central challenge of reining in…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To require the Federal Government to sell off…

I agree with the last statement and I encourage everyone, including the Administration, to latch on to that and to lead in that.

Well, at least my next question, because I guess I just fundamentally disagree with that, my next question was going to be when will the President and the Administration lead on changing our fiscal course, because I truly believe what has…

Mr. President, I would like to speak for up to 15 minutes. I understand Senator Kyl will be joining us shortly. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I come to the floor to urge my colleagues to consider voting yes on cloture this afternoon at 5:30, to proceed to a debate on two very important Federal programs that come under the jurisdiction of the Small Business Committee. I know the…