I announce that the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) and the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Pryor) are necessarily absent.

First, I thank the Senator from Iowa for his leadership on this issue. The fact is, it was almost 18 years ago when I received a letter from a woman in Chicago--written to me as a Congressman--named Nancy Donley. Nancy had a personal…

I announce that the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Pryor), and the Senator from Montana (Mr. Tester) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I wish to ask the Senator from Oklahoma if he could explain the nature of his unanimous consent request. I may not object, but I just didn't understand it.

I announce that the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Bayh), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter), and…

Madam President, I would like to say a few words on this legislation because it is something I have worked on for many years. I can't thank Senator Harkin and Senator Enzi and others enough for their hard work in bringing this issue to…

Thank you, Madam President. I wish to extend a special word of gratitude to my old friend who is sitting right there, the Sergeant at Arms, Terry Gainer; the Secretary of the Senate, Nancy Erickson; the secretary for the majority--where…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my chief of staff, Brady King, and other members of my staff be granted floor privileges during my remarks. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. 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 November 18, 2010. The Committee will meet in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building beginning…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Assessing the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on November 18, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive…

Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 1 p.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The State of the American Child: Securing Our…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I believe that the American people want to work. Those who are unemployed want a job. Those who are out of work want employment benefits. I don't think that there is any excuse that can be given. There is no…

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 November 18, 2010, at 3 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to be able to speak as in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.