Mr. President, usually by this time on a Friday, or even a little earlier, I have had the pleasure of going back to Iowa on the weekend. I would much rather be doing that. Obviously, we have problems that have to be worked out, and there…

Mr. President, before I speak, is there a time limit in morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Ten minutes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may speak for 15 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, in March, I introduced S. 454, the Strengthening Program Integrity and Accountability in Health Care Act, to enhance the government's ability to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud. One of the provisions in that bill would…

Mr. President, in today's rapidly changing, global knowledge-based economy, making sure that all students graduate from high school is more important than ever. A high school diploma opens the doors to postsecondary education and workforce…

If essential services keep going, no. It wouldn't be.

Mr. President, I would like to briefly explain my vote in favor of amendment No. 273, offered by Senator Coburn. The amendment seeks to save at least $5 billion by consolidating duplicative and overlapping government programs. I…

We've taken real steps to reduce our dependency on oil, and we have made substantial progress

We need to create some space for cellulosic fuels.

We have made substantial progress in reducing oil imports. We can easily do more. I want to reemphasize, easily do more.

biofuels is and will continue to be our most important strategy to reduce dependence on imported oil

Mr. President, the responsible leaders in Washington are working hard to find a compromise to fund the government through the end of the year. Regrettably, however, many Republicans in the House-- spurred on by tea party radicals--are…

The legal standard to obtain information should be increased.

This hearing provides us an opportunity to hear the Government's view on the need to reform this law.

Would not a change like this increase burdens on investigators, prosecutors, and the courts?

If all electronic communications, with emphasis upon 'all,' required a search warrant, the courts would experience additional burdens as well.

If Congress slows down the process, then this could have real-life consequences, you know, particularly where human life is involved?

It takes longer to prepare a 2703(d) order application than a subpoena, and it takes longer to prepare a search warrant application than a 2703(d) order application.