Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. President, as we begin our third day of debate on the Military Construction-VA appropriations bill, I would like to encourage my colleagues to file any amendments they may have as soon as possible, as we would like to begin disposing…

But if either of you would care to comment on that----

Our transportation infrastructure is in desperate need of a facelift.

Let me express a concern I have about the proposed creation of a national infrastructure bank.

At the heart of the problem is the lack of a long-term funding source.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from…

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Collins be added as a cosponsor to amendment No. 556. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Maintaining a transportation infrastructure is just critical to our nation's commerce.

Mr. President, I was very pleased that the Senate recently acted to confirm the nomination of David Cohen to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. I would like to pose a brief parliamentary inquiry as a…

Mr. President, as the Senate resumes consideration of the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, I wish to remind my colleagues of the important programs funded in this bill…

Mr. President, what is the pending amendment? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Johnson amendment. Amendment No. 556, as Modified

I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 556 be modified with the modifications at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is so modified. The amendment, as modified, is as follows: On page 114 between lines 18 and 19, insert the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator McCaskill be added as a cosponsor to the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. Wall Street Reform Mr. President, Thursday marks the first anniversary of President Obama signing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act into law. As chairman of the Banking Committee, I…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Executive Nomination Referral

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the bill be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Madam President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, I move to waive the point of order under section 303 of that act for H.R. 2055, and any amendments thereto and motions thereon.