Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for the time to speak on this very important piece of legislation. Having the opportunity to help lead the effort in committee and now on the House floor to get FCC process reform passed is something…

First of all, I want to thank the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands for her leadership in convening and anchoring these sessions that we hold each week. I also want to commend and pay tribute to Representative Bobby Scott for the…

On Monday, March 26, 2012, I had a previously scheduled meeting with small business owners in Champaign, Illinois. As a result, I am unable to attend to attend votes this evening. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R…

Madam President, we hope to begin consideration of the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act during Tuesday's session. ____________________

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until Tuesday, March 27, at 10 a.m.; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 625, 626, 627, and 628, and all nominations placed on…

Madam President, I ask for its second reading and object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bill will be read for the second time on the next legislative day. ____________________

Madam President, I understand that S. 2237, introduced earlier today by Senator Reid of Nevada, is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as…

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:44 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at 10 a.m…

Mr. President, I rise to speak about a disturbing disclosure made recently by the National Football League. Their investigation revealed that the New Orleans Saints had allegedly been operating an illegal ``bounty'' program. Under this…

Mr. John Rowe, as the chairman and CEO of Exelon, is retiring upon closing of the company's merger with Constellation Energy. John joined Unicom, the parent company of Commonwealth Edison, in 1998. He was hired to help fix its troubled…

Madam President, how much time is remaining in the debate on this measure? The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 23 minutes total; 18 minutes on the majority side.

Madam President, I see the floor is vacant. I assume the time is being taken from both sides at this moment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. In the quorum call, the time is being charged equally. Right now, it is being charged to the majority.

Thank you. I will try to fill that time with something interesting. The United States has the best markets in the world. Because of strong regulation and oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other agencies, our markets…

Commissioner Aguilar said he shares concerns expressed by many that provisions of this bill would be a boon to boiler room operators, Ponzi schemers, bucket shops, and garden variety fraudsters by enabling them to cast a wider net and make…

On March 22, 2012, I was unavoidably detained because fog delayed my return flight from Illinois and I was unable to cast a vote on H.R. 5, the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act. Had I been able to I would have cast an ``aye'' vote in…

Mr. President, yesterday afternoon I had the honor of attending the annual Speaker's Luncheon celebrating the long and enduring partnership between the Irish and American people. Among the guests of honor were the President and Vice…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 306 be discharged from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…