Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent, on behalf of Senator Bingaman, that three interns in his office, Shannon Simpson, Brooke Jordy, and Trey Debrine, be granted floor privileges during today's business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a Landrieu substitute amendment which is at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2608. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 2608) to…

Mr. President, we have 5 days remaining until a few extremist Republicans--and note I say ``a few''--drive our economy off a cliff because they are too radical and inexperienced to compromise. Financial experts are begging Congress to come…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, July 29; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the…

The reason we are extending morning business is the House is having trouble passing the bill, I understand, and so we are waiting until action is taken. They started at 4:30, and it is taking longer than they anticipated. As I understand…

Mr. President, following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, I will be…

Mr. President, we are awaiting action of the House of Representatives on their bill. For that reason, I will ask unanimous consent that we recess subject to the call of the Chair, and I will make that motion in just a minute. For the…

Mr. President, thank you very much. I apologize to everyone for the late hour. We have been waiting for the House to conduct their business and they are having trouble conducting it. As a result of their not sending us the material we…

Mr. President, H.R. 1938 is due for a second reading, I am told. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 1938) to direct the President…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 27, 2011, at 2 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

I also ask that the consent agreement be modified that Senators be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each during that period of time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session on July 27, 2011, in room SD-562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building beginning at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 27…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we move to Calendar No. 196; that the nomination be confirmed; the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be…

Madam President, today our Republican colleagues in the House planned to vote on a bill to lift the debt ceiling for a few months before plunging this Nation and its economy back into a state of uncertainty. What I mean by that is under…

Madam President, I have spoken with the Republican leader, and I now ask unanimous consent that the period of morning business be extended until 2 p.m. today; that during that time Senators be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each…