Madam President, with all due respect to our Republican leader, I have to express concern on a couple of points. He was just talking about court decisions, a court decision that said BP is a person; that said all big corporations have the…

Thank you. Let me indicate again, there is a huge difference in view as to how to get us out of the deficit hole. One side, with a set of policies--I am sure they were sincere--a set of policies that said: We will give it to the wealthiest…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader be authorized to sign any duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions on today, June 24. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, this evening we had a vote that I find to be extremely concerning. Once again, after 8 weeks of trying to work out some kind of an agreement with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to overcome a Republican…

First, if I might, I wish to take a moment to say thank you to the senior Senator from Louisiana for her leadership on small business. Her efforts in terms of job creation and availability of capital and so on is right on point. My…

Mr. President, I wish to thank the Senator from Louisiana again because she is focusing on jobs. That is what we are focusing on every day here, with every bill: jobs, putting people to work, supporting small businesses, supporting…

Mr. President, I thank my friend from Ohio. There are many things we share in common: a love of the Great Lakes, and we have a rivalry in football and baseball and our great universities, and so on. But we also share a tremendous passion…

In closing, I wish to take a few more minutes to stress again how disappointing and, frankly, outrageous I find what happened tonight to be as it relates to the continual 8 weeks of blocking the jobs bill in front of us, for the ability…

Mr. President, I wish to thank my colleague from Colorado for that beautiful and meaningful tribute to Stewart Udall and the lessons he has given us through his life and through this wonderful tribute. We very much appreciate it this…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 25; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour…

Mr. President, there will be no rollcall votes during Friday's session of the Senate. Senators should expect the next votes to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 28. ____________________

Mr. President, I understand there are two bills at the desk. I ask for their first reading en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bills by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 5481) to…

I now ask for a second reading en bloc, and I object to my own request en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bills will receive their second reading on the next legislative day. ____________________

I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a message from the House with respect to H.R. 5136. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the message. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Ordered, That the Clerk be directed to…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate agree to the request that the Senate return to the House H.R. 5136, the Department of Defense Authorization Act. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I am very pleased now to yield 1 minute to the distinguished senior member of the Judiciary Committee, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.

I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to Jared Polis of Colorado, a great member of our committee.