It is imperative that we put the right policies in place to enable businesses to hire and grow.

Thank you. Thank you all very much for your testimony.

So do you think as the Small Business Jobs Act is being implemented and the STEP program that is part of that and some of the other focus on exporting that is part of that legislation, are there any ways as that is being implemented to…

I think the good news on patents is that patent reform legislation has passed both Houses.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, CRREL. For half of a century, the men and women at CRREL…

I am the mother of a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old. This discussion goes beyond those of us who are serving right here; it is about what kind of country are we going to leave for the next generation. And I know I will not look my children in…

Mr. President, for weeks, Americans have watched the debate about raising our Nation's debt ceiling. I know it is has been difficult and often frustrating to watch what is happening, but the discussion could not have been more important…

Mr. President, I appreciate the Senator from Minnesota being willing to stay in the chair for a few more minutes before I have to preside so I can take this time to express my concern about what has happened with the failure to reauthorize…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the period for morning business be extended until 6:00 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection? The Senator from Georgia.

I appreciate the consideration of my colleague from Georgia. Mr. President, I come to the floor because I wish to share with people what I am hearing from my constituents in New Hampshire about the situation we are in in Washington. I have…

Madam President, I came to the floor this afternoon because the United States Government is now less than 1 week away from defaulting on its obligations for the first time in our history. As we have heard from economists and business…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2011, at 10 a.m. in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

Madam President, let me begin by applauding Senator Harkin, my colleague from Iowa, for his comments relative to the FAA and the need to put the people who are out of work back to work and to get the FAA reauthorization done. It has been…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National Parks be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2011, at 2:30 p.m., in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2011, at…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on July 28, 2011, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Subcommittee…