Mr. President, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote. We actually rejected this amendment last fall. I ask that we do it again. It is true that food assistance has gone up as the economy has had a rough time. As unemployment goes up, food costs go…

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

I ask for a record rollcall. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.

Mr. President, I support this amendment and yield the remainder of our time. It is my understanding we can proceed with a voice vote on this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to…

Mr. President, let me add my strong support for the amendment. We have reformed this title on rural development. We have eliminated 16 different authorizations, tightened it up. The amendment stays within our parameters of $23 billion in…

Mr. President, it is my understanding we are ready with the amendment of Senator Snowe. I ask she be the next amendment in order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Maine.

Mr. President, unfortunately, I would urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. It cuts in half funding for a program that helps food entrepreneurs--small businesses and farmers who want to create new kinds of products and to…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we have 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to the vote on the first Akaka amendment, No. 2440. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Hawaii.

Mr. President, if I may take a moment to thank Senator Bingaman and Senator Hutchison. Both New Mexico and Texas have strong and passionate advocates. They are lucky to have them, and we are looking forward to working with them to make…

I ask unanimous consent that Bennet-Crapo amendment No. 2202, which has been cleared by both sides, be in order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from California. Unanimous conset…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we proceed with a voice vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 2440) was agreed to. The Senator from Hawaii…

Mr. President, if I might take a moment, I believe we want to first dispose of the Akaka amendment No. 2440. Our ranking member has indicated no opposition, so at this point I would ask that we proceed, unless there is a reason not to do…

Mr. President, on behalf of the ranking member and myself, I yield back all time, and we both agree to a voice vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No…

Mr. President, as we are waiting for wrap-up this evening, I wish to take a moment to thank all our colleagues for the extraordinary effort to get to this point where we are going to be able to come together, debate a number of different…

This evening the House will take up Senate bill S. 404, a bill authored by my colleague in the Senate, Senator Carl Levin. As you heard, I authored a companion bill in the House last November. This bill will end a bureaucratic roadblock…

This evening we reached agreement for consideration of amendments to the farm bill. There will be several rollcall votes beginning at 2:15 tomorrow in relation to the amendments to the farm bill. We will also begin consideration of S.J…

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 9:05 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 10 a.m…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 470) was agreed…