I want to thank the lobbyists for the day, Nick Lewis who helped organize this. The game did get a little chippy, that's true, but it has no connection with the 20-point lobbying reform measure that we're putting out tomorrow. I also want…

At a speak-out on women's right to birth control, I solicited comments from the huge audience that attended, and here are a few. Reverend Luke Pepper writes: As a Christian and as a minister, I believe that it is important and necessary…

Thank you for this opportunity to speak about a really good friend of mine, Don Payne. When I heard that his situation was grave, I gave a call to his brother, Bill, whom I had gotten to know on trips that he and Don took, and had the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on…

I thank the Senator from California. In response, I would ask consent of the Chair to have printed in the Record the New York Times editorial of Monday, March 5, 2012, entitled ``Drill Baby Drill, Redux.'' There being no objection, the…

Mr. President, I mentioned yesterday on the Senate floor I spent a great deal of time in deep southern Illinois where some devastating and fatal tornadoes hit last week. As I said then and will repeat briefly now, the amazing outpouring of…

Mr. President, we live in a time when public trust in all of our government institutions is at an alltime low and unfortunately continues to deteriorate. Recent polls indicate public confidence in Congress is at 11 percent, which is a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 389 submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 389)…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Science and Space of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2012, at 2:45 p.m. in room 253…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Subcommittee…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. With objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until Wednesday, March 7, at 10 a.m.; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning…

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:58 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at 10…

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Leahy- Grassley substitute amendment at the desk be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to vote on the passage of the bill, as amended. The amendment…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 253, S. 1886. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1886) to prevent…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record. The…