Finally, I have another article written by Barbra Barrett of the Miami Herald. It reads: The U.S. Senate might leave town this week without finishing up what Democrats had hoped would be a significant political achievement . . . On its…

She is right. We have worked across the aisle as much as we could. But for some inexplicable reason, we can't seem to get unanimous consent to move such an important and extraordinary bill forward. The small business bill, the Main Street…

Mr. President, I wish to discuss a heart wrenching tragedy that occurred in my home State earlier this week and to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our local first responders. On Monday evening, under sweltering temperatures that had…

This recession is a national recession, but you feel it in every town, in every community, in every city where mayors and Governors out there--Democrats and Republicans--are fighting every day to bring vitality back to their communities…

Five minutes. That is great. I thank the Senator from Washington, who has been a partner on this bill with me from day one. She is a member of the Small Business Committee, quite an expert in the field of small business financing having…

In my final minute I would like to change subjects and speak about another subject that is very important to people in Louisiana, particularly to some of my African- American farmers and the small communities that they primarily reside in…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted for up to 10 minutes each; that upon the conclusion of the so-called wrap-up period the Senate then resume executive session and continue…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate resume legislation session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5981, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

I ask unanimous consent the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statement related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

I ask unanimous consent the Gillibrand substitute amendment at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and that a budgetary pay-go statement be considered read and printed in the Record and that the bill be…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5283, which was received from the House and is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R…

I ask unanimous consent the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statement be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5872, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

I understand the time controlled by the Democrats is coming quickly to an end. I ask for 2 more minutes, if that is OK, to wrap up. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 5 minutes.

Mr. President, I understand we are in controlled time. I will speak for the next 10 minutes, and if someone else comes to the floor, I will be happy to yield. I know the discussion today has primarily been on our new potential Supreme…

Mr. President, I understand we are not in any particular order. I wish to speak for about 15 minutes, and then I understand there will be leadership time prior to the vote scheduled for 5:45. I wish to take a minute to refocus the Senate…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, we in Louisiana have seen this tragedy firsthand, and we know about it more than anybody else in this Chamber. I will say this, there is an even bigger tragedy, it's the moratorium that's…