I thank the Senator. I wish to continue to speak as is required, not seeing anyone else on the floor. I appreciate the opportunity while we are waiting. I love the analogy the Senator from Rhode Island mentioned about the blockade. We have…

I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 15 minutes as in morning business. I may ask to extend my time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I am just to speak for 1 minute now and turn it over to the good Senator from Oregon, who will speak for a few minutes on this subject, and then the Senator from Washington State, as we wait for the underlying paperwork that is going to…

While the unemployment rate is 9.5 percent and while the gulf coast continues to recover from a devastating oil spill, the people of Louisiana are wondering what they did to deserve President Obama's moratorium on jobs. According to a…

Mr. President, I wish to speak for about 5 or 10 minutes--not very long--about an important matter before the Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Samantha Seiter be granted the privilege of the floor for the debate on the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, I am going to read a few of these organizations into the Record at this time. This is a very market- based, private-sector approach to solving this problem, and that is why the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the…

Mr. President, I thank my colleague, and let me add a few words to that wonderful explanation. Again, what we are on the floor talking about here--the jobs 3 bill, the small business bill--is a lending program for small business. This is…

Mr. President, I am joined by my colleague from Oregon, Mr. Merkley, who has been a wonderful supporter of the small business package and as a member of the Banking Committee has been very instrumental in the shaping of the jobs bill 3…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Louisiana.

It's correct that there is not a final report. There are a lot of groups out there doing investigations. The Federal Government is, private institutions are, a lot of different investigations are going on as there should be. But we know…

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. I thank both of my colleagues for talking about this important issue because right now as we're battling what is already a human tragedy with eleven deaths, an environmental tragedy, probably…

I have no further Members wishing to speak on this issue, and I am prepared to yield back my time. I look forward to working with my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee in this effort to hopefully change this regime's behavior. Mr…

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of one of the Senate's giants, Robert C. Byrd. My family and I were saddened to learn of his passing on Monday morning at the age of 92. I will remember Senator Byrd as a fierce defender of…

I agree with my ranking member's remarks here. The gentleman from New Jersey made a very compelling emotional argument. We all agree that we have to do something. But the American people want us to pay for this. They have been speaking…

Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to speak on a couple of different subjects. Briefly I wish to say a few words about our extraordinary and great colleague who has left the Senate and left this world, but his spirit will be…

Mr. President, I was here earlier today, following Senator Baucus's handling of a portion of the small business bill. I am pleased to share in that responsibility on a small business bill that is not immediately before the Senate because…

Mr. President, I would like to talk about the underlying bill that we are actually on today, which is the extenders package. The Democrats negotiated in very good faith with the Republican Party to try to figure out a way to get tax…