Mr. President, I cannot express how frustrated I am with Washington politics, as a result of, I believe, irresponsible behavior on the part of Democrats and Republicans, in the House and in the Senate. The Federal Highway Administration…

Now, one of the things that is not talked about are the indirect jobs, the long-run jobs, the getting people to work.

The last Administration had a figure, and I have it down here. It is 34,779 jobs for every billion dollars that is invested in highways.

There are two things here: the indirect jobs and then the long-term, how this helps others.

A key consideration for the short-term infusion of infrastructure spending is this: Every dollar invested in construction generates another $1.59 that flows through the rest of the economy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and due to being a little bit under the weather, I think I will just ask that my opening statement be made a part of the record.

Is it always going to be possible for U.S. companies to operate in ways that support a global open Internet?

Senator Coburn is right on point in my opinion in saying that we have got to stress the government-to-government part.

Mr. President, I have no real strong feelings about this bill other than that I do not think this country needs to create another corporation, a corporation that would be authorized to impose an annual assessment on U.S. members of the…

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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce The Small System Drinking Water Act of 2009. This is the third Congress that I have introduced this bill which would assist water systems throughout the country comply with the ever growing number…

Madam President, this afternoon it is my understanding we are going to have one more vote. It is going to be on the Travel Promotion Act. I have opposed this in the past. I have already voted against it three times. I am not going to hang…

Mr. President, I have a unanimous consent request. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New Hampshire has the floor.

Mr. President, when the Senator from New Hampshire talks about what we can and can't do to our children, I remind my fellow Senators, I happen to be blessed with 20 kids and grandkids. I am probably more concerned than anyone else here…

I ask unanimous consent that at the conclusion of the remarks of the Senator from New Hampshire, I be recognized for up to 3 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

Thank you, Madam Chairman and Chairman Cardin, for holding this hearing on the following great water bodies...

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my good friend Mr. Abercrombie for his distinguished career and our good friendship. And the fact that I am rising in support of this bill and my good friend Mr…