I announce that the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad), the Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Hagan), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, there was an interesting letter to the editor in the New York Times over the weekend, and it was sent by two Minnesota State representatives. I apologize for not having the names at my fingertips. Democratic and Republican…

Mr. President, the American economy is struggling. We are coming out of recession--unfortunately, too slowly for most of us--but we are emerging. I can recall the ominous days when we first learned of the terrible economic crisis facing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. SETTING THE Record STRAIGHT

This morning the Republican leader came to the floor, Senator McConnell, and made some pretty strong and sweeping statements about the state of the deficit and responsibility. I would like to have a chance to respond. Senator McConnell…

With the cold-blooded murder of four Americans by pirates, our country faces a dangerous enemy as old as the second Washington administration and the earliest days of the U.S. Navy. This danger now stretches across our vital oil supply…

Madam President, I rise to support this continuing resolution. As we know, the Senate is set to pass a short-term funding bill, while negotiations continue on a longer term funding bill for the rest of the year. The administration has…

Actually, if you would allow me to keep speaking, I would appreciate that. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation to strip the 1099 requirement on business. This body will continue to remove the undue burden on small businesses…

I thank my colleague from South Carolina for yielding. This is great. You know, it's very interesting to listen to this concern. When I was actually out on the campaign trail, I talked to a lot of small business owners. These small…

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 2, 2011, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Eliminating the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security be authorized to…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled, ``National Security & Foreign Policy…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Preventing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. in SD- 406. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011, at 10 a.m., in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011, at 10 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011, from 2-5 p.m. in Dirksen 106. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 2, 2011. The Committee will meet in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building beginning at…