I appreciate the opportunity to speak. Earlier this evening, or I should say last night, I had a tele-town hall meeting. I do this once a week. Generally what I do is I ask and we talk about what we're doing on the floor today: trying to…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 326, line 2, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $44,935,065)''. Page 326, line 4, after the…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Nevada will be postponed. The Clerk will read. The Clerk read as follows: Sec. 2116…

Mr. President, I have a cloture motion at the desk, and I ask it be reported. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The assistant bill clerk read as…

Mr. President, I move to table amendment No. 21 offered by the Senator from Kentucky, and I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on…

Mr. President, I express my appreciation to everyone involved. It has been a difficult issue, but I will put on the record what I have told a number of Senators personally, and that is that we will, prior to this expiration occurring…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the disposition of the Paul amendment occurs, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 514, which was received from the House and is at the desk; that the Reid-McConnell substitute…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that if we have quorum calls during this period of time, the time be charged equally. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Paul amendment No. 21; that there be 100 minutes of debate equally divided between Senators Paul and Rockefeller or their designees; that upon the use…

Madam President, when President Obama released his budget yesterday, he made one thing very clear: getting our economy back above water will require shared sacrifice. Few documents are more intricate and complex than our national budget…

Madam President, I am going to take a few minutes today to talk about a friend of Nevada's and a friend of mine. This man is from the other side of the world. His name is Manny Pacquiao. He is in Washington today. Every time I visit with…

I object to any further proceedings at this time, Madam President. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar under rule XIV. ____________________

Madam President, H.R. 359 is at the desk and 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. 359) to…

Madam President, following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 11 a.m. Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each during that period of time. At 11 a.m. the Senate will resume…

Mr. President, I am told the managers of this bill have some business they still need to transact on this matter tonight.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorums with respect to the cloture motions be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of our nation's veterans to once again discuss the unjust and outdated policy of failing to give our veterans their full earned military retirement benefits and veterans disability compensation. Full…

Mr. President, the first vote of the day will occur at approximately noon tomorrow. That vote will be in relation to the Nelson of Nebraska amendment, as amended, regarding the distribution of airport screening x rays. Senators should…