I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 539, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour…

I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Byrd), the Senator from Arkansas (Mrs. Lincoln), the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), the Senator from New York (Mr. Schumer), and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) are…

I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Byrd), the Senator from Arkansas (Mrs. Lincoln), the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from New York (Mr. Schumer), and the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for up to 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Tribute to Officer Thomas Wortham IV

Mr. President, I come before this august body with a very heavy heart this afternoon. Last Friday night, just a few blocks from my home in Chicago, a terrible act of violence claimed the life of a young police officer. Thomas Wortham IV…

On this vote, the yeas are 60, the nays are 40. Three- fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to. The majority leader.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I found the gentleman from New Jersey's logic dizzying. It took 43 American Presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush, for us to accumulate $5 trillion in debt. This Congress and this…

Investing in transportation and infrastructure is one of the best ways to put people back to work while increasing our global competitiveness. These investments must be made not just publicly but also by private companies. So we need to…

I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) is necessarily absent. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber desiring to vote? The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 60, nays 39, as follows: [Rollcall…

I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Byrd), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) are necessarily absent. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of New Mexico). Are there any other Senators in the Chamber desiring to…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Immigration Reform

Madam President, I just left the address of President Calderon to the joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives. I think President Calderon's speech to Congress and to the American people was important and timely and really…

Mr. President, I stand in support of the Merkley amendment. This is an effort by Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Carl Levin of Michigan to try to strengthen the bill that is before us on Wall Street reform; to try to minimize the types of…

Mr. President, what is the order of business before the Senate? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Merkley amendment is pending.

I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) is necessarily absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 57, nays 42, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 158 Leg.] YEAS--57 Akaka Baucus Bayh Begich Bennet Bingaman Boxer Brown (OH)…

I thank my colleague from Georgia. It depends on one's perspective. The amendment he just described that he added to the bill is a valuable part of this bill. It wasn't there originally. It is now. I am glad it is. I am happy to support…