the 30-year mortgage would be less available. Mortgage credit would be less available, and the credit availability that you would be able to access would be at a significantly higher price.

there is a lot of capital going into this market because of the way it is structured, the guarantee, the credit risk aspects.

We have collectively for generations, both Republicans and Democrats and everyone else has said putting people in homes is key to America.

So one of the aspects of creating this new--and we all understand this is not going to happen next year, this is a phased adaptation going forward--would be to provide investor protections, but perhaps not in the same way that is done…

Mr. President, these are challenging economic times and Republicans have taken us to the edge of the cliff. In the limited time left to prevent government default for the first time in our Nation's history, I think we can all agree on at…

Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the Joining Forces for Military Mental Health Act with my colleagues Senators Ayotte, Kerry, Shaheen, Scott Brown, Whitehouse, Leahy, and Blumenthal. This legislation seeks to improve the…

Mr. Speaker, $14.4 trillion; $1.6 trillion every year added onto that national debt. The people in November, 2010, spoke loudly. We are listening. It is time that we in this Chamber accept the fact that D.C. has to and will change because…

A lot of commentators have been talking about the debt ceiling, the market, the jobs numbers. What we should be talking about is people, families facing tough decisions looking for help from a Congress that doesn't seem interested…

I rise to recognize Kids First of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, an exemplary community organization for environmental and conservation outreach. Kids First is the recipient of the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Award for its Rhode…

Mr. President, I am here this afternoon to discuss our work toward addressing the national debt and staving off a collision with our debt ceiling or a default on our financial obligations. First, I wish to commend Majority Leader Reid for…

Mr. President, I believe libraries are critical institutions to our Nation and our democracy. Today, I recognize one library in particular, Brown University Library, for its 150th anniversary as Rhode Island's oldest Federal Depository…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill. As a proud member of the freshman class that came to Washington, D.C., in November 2010, I can tell you the culture of this city is changing. {time} 1640 I hear my colleagues on the other…

Mr. President, Senator Whitehouse and I have come to the floor today to pay tribute to Governor Bruce Sundlun. He passed away last Thursday. He was an extraordinary gentleman. I think it is particularly appropriate that my colleague is…

Mr. Speaker, with six days left until we default on our national debt, there is simply no excuse for the partisan gridlock that has blocked all progress toward a fair and balanced agreement. This week, Congressional switchboards lit up and…

Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

I am about to yield the floor to my distinguished senior Senator Jack Reed. I ask unanimous consent at the conclusion of his remarks I be granted recognition. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING…

Mr. President, I am very pleased to follow Rhode Island's distinguished senior Senator with remarks about our friend and our former Governor, Bruce Sundlun. As Governor, he served with some of our colleagues who are in the Senate today…

Mr. President, Senate majority leader Harry Reid has presented a plan to address our deficits and to end the debt ceiling impasse that threatens to cripple our economy. The Treasury is projected to run out of money next week and time is…