I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise also to support the effort of my colleague Mr. Garamendi to require that materials made in America be used to construct and renovate the charter schools that we're talking about in this…

Madam President, tomorrow night we will hear a speech from the President of the United States about an issue that affects every single one of us in America. It affects millions in a personal way and all of us indirectly. It is the state of…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 10 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I wish to join my colleagues in remembering Senator Mark Hatfield, an extraordinarily good man, a man of dignity and integrity. I didn't have the opportunity to serve with him in the Senate, but he chaired the Senate…

Mr. President, I ask the Chair what is pending before the Senate at this moment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill H.R. 1249 is pending for debate only.

I see the Senator from New Hampshire is here, and I ask that she be permitted to speak immediately after I have concluded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

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

I understand that H.J. Res. 66 introduced earlier today is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the joint resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A joint resolution…

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 that any statements related to the bill be printed in the…

Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Ohio for highlighting what has to be our focal point as we return to the Senate, and that is the unemployment picture across America and the desperate situation many families are facing. As I…

I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), is necessarily absent.

I ask for its second reading and object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bill will have its second reading on the next legislative day. ____________________

Mr. President, first I ask unanimous consent to be added as a cosponsor of this resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 257 submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A…

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 257 as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Mark O. Hatfield, of…

Mr. President, we expect to begin consideration of the America Invents Act--the patent reform bill--during Wednesday's session. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled. ____________________

Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the nomination of Sara Darrow to serve as a district court judge for the Central District of Illinois. Sara Darrow is a superb nominee, and she will make an excellent addition to the Federal…

I am frustrated that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has taken too long to promulgate rules required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, CPSIA, including the rules on third-party testing obligations and the component…