Mr. President, a few weeks ago, as we were debating whether to move to this bill now on the floor, I sent a letter to the distinguished majority leader, Senator Reid, and I was joined by several of my colleagues. We made a real simple…

With respect to a possible shutdown, I have to say that this is a direct result of a distinct lack of leadership. Former Speaker Pelosi showed no leadership in not even attempting to submit a 2011 budget in the 111th Congress. Senator Reid…

Madam President, under the previous agreement we were able to get to last evening, I call up the amendments I previously cited. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from…

Mr. President, I wish to speak for 2 minutes in general wrapup. There may be other Senators coming to the floor. I am hopeful we can lock in a time to vote on Cardin amendment No. 240 and the Snowe amendment No. 253. There are other…

Mr. President, I thank Senator Cardin for his patience and Senator Snowe as we have worked up through the last hour or two on their two proposals. Both have to do with perfecting our contracting programs. While not specific to the SBIR…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of S. 493 and set aside the pending amendments so that I may call up the following two amendments en bloc. They are Cardin amendment No. 240 and Snowe amendment…

Madam President, I yield the floor, and 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 that any time spent in a quorum call prior to the votes at 4 p.m. be equally divided. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Sanders' amendment No. 207 now be modified with the changes at the desk. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment, as modified, is as…

Madam President, under the previous agreement that was reached last evening--and I want to thank both leaders, Senators Reid and McConnell, for working so hard with Senator Snowe and me to try to bring our caucuses to conclusion points on…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Coburn amendment No. 281 replace amendment No. 223 in the agreement we reached last evening. This is an updated version of Senator Coburn's amendment. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without…

I reclaim my time, Madam Chair, because I am talking specifically about the amendment. If I am allowed the opportunity to continue with my comments, I have to finish a thought first before we talk specifically about the amendment. First of…

You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat our seniors and how they treat our children. According to the 2012 budget, House Republicans do not value our seniors nor our children. They want to privatize Medicare and undo Medicaid…

I appreciate the offer of the gentleman from California, but I cannot adhere to a United Nations framework. I cannot adhere to the ability for the EPA to continue to keep their nose under the tent to provide whether it's called ``technical…

If the gentleman has a parliamentary inquiry, I don't think that comes out of my time.

We are here today because the EPA has continued to push this effort to pass a national energy tax. It was tried through cap-and-trade over the last year and a half. That bill went through the legislative process and was defeated in a…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The…

Mr. President, America's illegal immigration problem is clearly way out of control. We can all agree that we desperately need to better protect our borders, ensure that only citizens and legal residents can be hired for jobs in this…