I come to thank my colleagues as well for this strong vote to move forward on disaster relief. In almost every corner of America we have had unprecedented natural disasters this year, and my State has not been exempt. I represent North…

if there is no business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order at the conclusion of the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 66. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coons). Without objection, it is so ordered. The Economy

I rise today to speak on a matter of great importance to our country, and that is jobs and our economy. I know the President will be speaking this evening. I want to emphasize the importance that we focus on a long-term strategy to get our…

section 106 of the Budget Control Act of 2011 provides for budget enforcement in the Senate for the remainder of the current year, 2011, for the upcoming budget year, 2012, and, if necessary, for fiscal year 2013. Section 106(b)(1)…

debate over the fiscal future of our Nation has been at the center of the 112th Congress. With the passage today of the Budget Control Act of 2011, we have avoided a default on our national debt, we have made a significant downpayment on…

I think it is absolutely correct that the flexibility exists for the Joint Committee to determine the benchmark it wishes to use and that such flexibility is entirely appropriate given the circumstances. The leader mentioned three…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on August 1, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I rise to discuss the agreement that has been reached between the leaders in the Senate, the House Republicans and Democrats, and the President of the United States with respect to an extension of the debt limit and certain deficit…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on August 1, 2011. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. select committee on…

I rise once again to urge my colleagues to come together and address this debt ceiling to reduce our deficit and debt. We are at the 12th hour, and it is vitally important to the American people we move forward. I believe there is…

we are now reaching a critical hour in the Congress of the United States on the question of extending the debt limit of the Nation and of fundamentally dealing with the debt of the Nation. I don't think there is any serious person in…

I rise this morning to speak to the need to come to an agreement. We need to come to an agreement on how we handle the debt ceiling. We need to come to agreement on addressing our Nation's deficit and debt. Let us review where we are right…

Let's take North Dakota, for example. My dear friend, then Governor Hoeven, now Senator Hoeven, presided over three terms of our compact process.

the key to our relationship was transparency and being able to trust when one said something, we were going to stick to it.

I think if it works that well in other States, it really is not in need of a legislative solution.

I know for a fact, and I am sorry that Senator Hoeven was not feeling well today, but he has a great respect for the Tribal nations.