Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of H.R. 2476. Mr. Speaker, I hope that you have had the chance to visit some of the terrific winter recreation and summer recreation areas in Colorado's Second Congressional District, in places that…

Mr. President, it is disappointing that we can't get unanimous consent for an up-or-down vote on the Martinez vote. I wish to make clear to all the Coloradans who watched the proceedings today that I attempted to bring up this nomination…

Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama is recognized.

The concerns of the Senator from Alabama are his, and they are most likely shared by others. The point I am trying to make is, let's bring nominees to the floor, have that debate, fully consider their records, and then have an up-or-down…

Mr. President, I listened intently to my friend from Alabama. I have had the opportunity when I have presided to listen to him share his point of view with the Senate. As always, he is articulate and passionate. Before I make two unanimous…

Mr. President, I will continue to ask my friend from Alabama to consider joining with me in approving these unanimous consent requests. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session and consider en bloc the following…

Madam President, I rise on an important matter that affects all of us, Senators and citizens of our States alike, and that is the shortfall in the process of confirming nominations to the Federal bench. In particular, I wish to talk about…

Judicial understaffing in Colorado and in the home State of the Presiding Officer and all the Senators has a real effect on residents and businesses. As the caseload increases for each judge, more and more time must be devoted to criminal…

Mr. President, I look forward to working with the Senator from Alabama and the Senator from Vermont to move all of these worthy nominations to the floor. I appreciate the conversation we have had. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

Mr. President, I believe over the last hour and a half the Senate has heard from almost one-tenth of the body. Nine Senators have come to the floor to talk about a litany of great nominees for district court positions all over our country…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider en bloc the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: No. 696, Louis Butler, to be a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of…

Madam President, I also rise today in support of Bill Martinez's nomination to serve on the Federal district court in Colorado. Before I talk about that, I wish to take a moment to address this small business bill that is before the Senate…

I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Latham The CHAIR. It is now in order to…

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 44, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $50,000,000)''. Page 44, line 25…

Mr. Chair, I first want to commend Chairman Olver and Ranking Member Latham and the other members of the subcommittee for putting forth a good bill which makes wise investments in our Nation's transportation systems, our housing industry…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, are we in morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is considering the small business bill.

Mr. President, I will speak to the bill we are considering. I rise today because I know we need to throw a lifeline to small businesses by increasing their access to credit. They have bills to pay, payroll checks to issue, and accounts…