Madam President, first, I am disappointed because I appreciate what the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma said, but the reality is, the administration has been thoughtful. They have thought about it. Today they announced, as well as was…

Absolutely nothing. The only way to ensure the U.S. taxpayer pays absolutely nothing, not just for the cleanup but in terms of consequences to communities that would exceed the liability cap that exists right now under the law and for…

Well, the Senator's question is well put. Justice could not be achieved under the present cap. As a matter of fact, as I said earlier, today the United States declared a fishing disaster in three Gulf States: Louisiana, Mississippi, and…

I still have the floor? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey has the floor.

If my colleague will further yield, I understand what he just said. There is $3.1 billion in rescission in the amendment; is that fair to say?

I appreciate that. I look at the Senator's proposed amendment, and am I to understand that the Senator has $3.1 billion of rescissions to cover what he wants to do in his amendment?

Madam President, I appreciate the Senator came up with a proposal. It is 40 pages. I just saw it. I look forward to reading it and seeing whether it truly achieves the goal we mutually have. We are moving the ball forward because both the…

The Senator has propounded a series of Members to speak or offer amendments. If one of those Members offers a unanimous-consent request during their presentation, then there would be an opportunity to object notwithstanding the…

Reserving the right to object, I do not believe I will object, if there is a unanimous-consent request pending, any of the Members who are going to speak in the following order, as the Senator from Arizona suggested, it would be…

I appreciate my distinguished colleague from New Jersey who has been a stalwart on this issue, as well as in the past, on the whole question of the environment. The Senator is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. I…

I would be happy to yield for a question. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside and I be permitted to call up amendment No. 4175. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The…

I thank my friend and colleague from New Jersey. When we hear the objection, as we have heard it, we have now three times offered legislation to lift the $75 million liability cap for oil companies, and I have to shake my head as I hear…

Reserving the right to object, Madam President, I ask my colleague from New Jersey, was the floor relinquished? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey relinquished the floor. Is there objection to the unanimous-consent request…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To provide that parties responsible for the…

Madam President, this amendment is simple. It says that the parties responsible for the gulf oilspill must reimburse the government for every Federal dollar in this bill that goes to the oilspill response. To me, it is just a statement of…

Madam President, I regret that my dear friend and colleague from Alabama has the need to object. This is an opportunity, with a bipartisan amendment, to help Main Street and small businesses; an opportunity to create 40,000 jobs; an…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 4064