I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of passage. The vote was taken by…

I am opposed. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Michaud moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1315 to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same…

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues Senators Wyden, Alexander, Landrieu, Pryor, and Toomey. Our legislation is straight forward: it would…

Mr. President, I rise in remembrance of the disastrous invasion of Turkish armed forces into the Republic of Cyprus. On this day, 37 years ago, Turkish soldiers began the forcible expulsion of approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots from the…

I want to take a moment to recognize the crew of the Amtrak Downeaster who quickly guided 112 passengers to safety after the train was involved in an accident this week in Maine. With the engine engulfed in flames, two conductors and one…

I thank the chairman very much. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment Offered by Mr. Kissell

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made…

Mr. President, I rise today to honor 2LT Robert S. Emerson who is coming home to Maine more than 60 years after he served his country during World War II. Lieutenant Emerson perished when the B-24 aircraft he was flying in crashed in the…

Madam President, last night, the Senate unanimously approved S. Res. 185, a resolution I introduced with my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin. Our resolution sends a clear message to the Palestinian Authority that any effort to seek…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak as if in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Madam President, I rise in opposition to the amendment of Senator DeMint. Yesterday the managers' amendment, which was agreed to, retained the Senate confirmation requirement for the legislative affairs positions so the only thing we are…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 511 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There will now be 2 minutes of debate prior to a vote on the DeMint amendment No. 511. The Senator…

Mr. President, I thank everybody for their cooperation. We worked long and hard on this bill. I thank the Senator from Wisconsin. He raises an excellent point. I thank the majority leader. I thank Senator Alexander and Senator Schumer, who…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Under the previous order, the question occurs on agreeing to amendment No. 499, offered…

Mr. President, I want to make sure this has been cleared with the Senator from South Carolina?

Mr. President, I just wish to indicate my support for the amendment offered by the Senator from Louisiana. Although it is drafted a little differently than I would have done it, it does address a real problem; that is, when the…

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum, and I ask unanimous consent that the time during the quorum call be equally allocated to both sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will call the…

I have no objection. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.