This is exactly what I am hearing at home in Nebraska, Mr. President. As a former Governor, as the Senator from Wyoming points out, you deal with these programs every day. You are trying to figure out how to fashion a State budget that…

Mr. President, I rise to speak to the Senate health care bill and to talk a little bit about some of the issues related to that bill, in terms of financing and scoring and, to be very candid, about some of the accounting gimmicks that try…

I believe the Senator is correct. Let me offer a thought, if I might. I think others--maybe I will turn to Senator Brownback next. If this were a great bill, if this were the kind of legislation you wanted to take home and go out there and…

Mr. President, from February 12 to February 28, Americans were united in cheering on some of our Nation's most elite athletes as they competed at the 22nd Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I commend all of our athletes for their exemplary…

Mr. President, I rise today to speak for about 10 minutes about the health care debate that continues to be in front of us. For much of our country, the health care debate has been a long and confusing trail. As details have emerged over…

Mr. President, I am pleased to have filed an amendment that would give Alaska Native corporations, ANCs, parity for an important tax incentive encouraging the permanent protection of land through the charitable donation of a conservation…

Mr. President, I wish to speak on a resolution I have cosigned celebrating Volunteers In Service To America, or VISTA, on its 45th anniversary and recognizing its contribution to the fight against poverty. This resolution will demonstrate…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions during today's session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from California.

I know we talked about unemployment which is a significant piece of this bill. I also want to point out there are other pieces. I want to make sure I am correct. Maybe the Senator could clarify this. I know he mentioned in the very early…

The other piece I want to talk about, and I will end on this because I know the Senator from Oregon has a question or two, and it is one of the things I heard over and over again, and that is why I think the way this is being approached is…

I know in my state the answer is: They will. This is a significant problem even at the 21-percent rate of reimbursement. So not only do we have the unemployed now, whom the other side seems to have a problem with, yet when it comes to the…

Small businesses that were probably in the process of pursuing their dreams and hopes in this recession of creating a new opportunity to help those unemployed and others to build our economy. In Alaska, 52 percent of our employment is…

I appreciate the Senator's constant reminder that this debate is about real people. I don't know what the debates were in years past. I was not here, as Senator McCaskill and Senator Merkley mentioned. I was not here. People read and watch…

I thank the Senator very much. I have a couple questions in regard to the bill. I will probably have more later, but, first, remind me and the people who are watching what the unemployment rate for our country is today.

In my State, it is 9 percent. I will lay out a couple points. In my State, the 9 percent, which is one of the highest in years for us, one of the highest numbers ever in a long time, but when you look at it by region--and I am curious if…

I will ask if I can read something toward a question. As you drill down--that is what we are doing here a little bit, and your answer to my question is what I wanted to ask to make sure I was clear on that. It is not just the average that…

I thank the Senator. I have other questions, but I know there are others who are standing to ask questions. But I have a question on the small business fund and the Medicare component, which are vitally important to keep our economy…

I can only say I am losing a good friend who will go to better and greater places. You have been an ally to myself and to the feeling of working bipartisan work with the chairman on both sides of the aisle. We have always talked to one…