Mr. President, I rise today to offer first a commonsense amendment to begin to address our Nation's unprecedented national debt. It is hurting jobs in our economy today and is placing an immoral burden on our kids and our grandkids. This…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendments be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendments are as follows: (Purpose: To require that any debt limit increase be balanced by equal…

Mr. President, I have two amendments at the desk and I ask for their immediate consideration, en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendments. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Ohio [Mr. Portman]…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendments Nos. 6 and 7, En Bloc

Madam President, we had a debate earlier on this. This is the Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act. It makes all the sense in the world. Here we have a $16 trillion national debt, now exceeding $130,000 per household in America. We are…

Madam President, this amendment is a commonsense amendment that would end government shutdowns as well as keep us from facing these last-minute budget deals. For all regular programs or activities for which an appropriation bill has not…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 14, and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Bryan Seeley, a Department of Justice detailee on the Judiciary Committee staff be given Senate floor privileges for the remainder of calendar year 2013. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013; that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 20, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A…

Madam President, last week the House of Representatives passed a plan to prevent the risk of another credit rating downgrade. By ensuring that the United States will not default on its obligations, the House made the responsible decision…

Madam President, I congratulate the Presiding Officer on becoming the senior Senator from Massachusetts in almost record time. We hope to complete consideration of the debt limit legislation before the end of the week. ____________________

Madam President, I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will receive its…

Madam President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 177) to repeal…

Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:47 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, January 30, 2013…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it…

Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the career and the calling of a remarkable Ohioan and a close friend, the Reverend Dr. Linwood H. Chamberlain, Jr. Our Pastor Woody and his wife Peggy are important to Connie and me and to our…