I would also like to note that the collection of sales taxes online will be new not only for many retailers, but also for consumers who are used to the current system. It is important to implement the new law correctly, from the outset…

Mr. President, I rise to speak on the Marketplace Fairness Act. I applaud Senator Enzi for his many years of work on this legislation, of which I am a cosponsor. This bill rectifies a fundamental unfairness in our current system. Right…

Mr. President, I rise to associate myself with the comments from the senior Senator from Maine on this amendment. I consider it virtually a technical amendment. It simply changes the implementation date under the bill so that companies…

Madam President, I am delighted that the Senate will pass a bipartisan bill to resolve a serious problem confronting the American traveling public and our economy. I thank the majority leader, Senator Reid, the minority leader, the…

Madam President, I feel compelled to respond to the comments of my good friend and colleague from Montana. First, let me say I am sorry to learn of his decision to leave the Senate, to retire from the Senate, because I have enjoyed working…

Mr. President, let me express my frustration and dismay over the objection that has been lodged against considering a very reasonable amendment to this bill. This is a bipartisan amendment. It is offered by the Independent Senator from…

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss a serious problem confronting the American traveling public and our economy, and later today I will be introducing a bill to remedy this problem. I am very pleased to be joined by several of my Senate…

Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 771, offered on behalf of myself and Senator King, and I would ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to laying aside the pending amendment?

Mr. President, I rise today with some humility because I rise in the footsteps of one of Maine's greatest Senators, Olympia Snowe. I am fortunate enough to succeed her in this seat. In the midst of the campaign a year or so ago, I also…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for 20 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. National Challenges

Madam President, I rise to discuss the background check amendment proposed by our colleagues Senator Manchin and Senator Toomey. I grew up in northern Maine where responsible gun ownership is part of the heritage of virtually every family…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 715

Mr. President, today I am offering legislation correcting Obamacare's definition of a ``full-time'' employee to allow employees to work 40 hours a week without triggering penalties on the businesses that hire them. Currently, Obamacare…

Mr. President, my amendment would allow for legislation setting a more sensible definition of ``full-time employee'' under the Affordable Care Act. Under the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, the definition of a full-time…

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 establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to…

Mr. President, my amendment is No. 144. I ask unanimous consent that it be called up at this time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Maine [Ms. Collins] proposes…

Mr. President, let me thank the ranking member of the Budget Committee for all of his incredibly hard work on this issue. It is a hopeful sign that the Senate is finally debating a budget to set priorities for Federal spending and revenues…

Today, thousands of Federal workers across the country, including nearly 5,000 at the Portsmouth Navy Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, will start getting furlough notices. These men and women in Kittery are some of the hardest working, most…