Mr. President, I rise and ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. startup america legislative agenda

Last week, President Obama unveiled his Startup America Legislative Agenda. It marked the 1-year anniversary of his Startup America initiative, an ambitious, impressive, national energetic effort led by, among others, legendary innovator…

Mr. President, the Presiding Officer, my colleague from Delaware, has heard me say more than a few times that when I meet people who have been married a long time, I like to ask them: What is the secret to being married 50 or 60 or 70…

Mr. President, I rise to speak on behalf of tens of thousands of Delawareans affected by domestic violence each year, as well as their families, their friends, and their allies across our State and our country. Just a few minutes ago, my…

Mr. President, I thank Senator Lieberman. I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, today I rise to express my deep concern that the 2012 National Department of Defense Authorization Act provisions pertaining to detainee treatment fail to strike the appropriate, important balance between national security…

Mr. President, I rise to share a feeling that many in my home State have expressed to me. I rise to share my frustration. It is not just the frustration you may feel, as I have felt presiding over this body, when for hours at a time it is…

Mr. President, there is not the absence of a quorum, but I appreciate my colleague mentioning that. I said to him earlier today, maybe yesterday, Senator Franken is a joy to have around here. Some of us know he brings a real special touch…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the period for morning business be extended until 8:30 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I thank the Senator. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.

Mr. President, as the good Senator from Illinois suggests, we are, indeed, encumbering future generations with a debt that has risen above $40,000 per American. This is a central challenge of our time, one in which our national security…

Mr. President, how much time remains? The PRESIDING OFFICER. On the Senator's side, 2 minutes 20 seconds; on the side of the Senator from Illinois, 1 minute 16 seconds.

This Senate can, should, and has shown the ability to reach balanced budgets--no, in fact, surpluses--within living memory. In fact, when President Clinton was the President, this Senate and the House acted together. They adopted budgetary…

I could not agree more that we need to be responsible; that the United States and this Senate need to face our serious and crippling national deficits and debt. It was a good idea when Thomas Jefferson recognized that a balanced budget…

I thank Senator Kirk. I am grateful for the Senator inviting me to join him in a real debate on the floor on an issue about which we disagree and about which we cast opposing votes earlier today. It is an issue of real import to our…

If I might, later today we are having our first Delaware Day reception in one of the Senate buildings. It is a way for us to promote and celebrate what is great about Delaware. One of the things I treasure most about Delaware is our unique…

Although we have a senior Senator who is tireless in his effective advocacy of our State.

Mr. President, I am delighted to stand before you on this Delaware Day, 2011. This is the anniversary of the day when, on December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first State to ratify the Constitution. For 1 week, Delaware was the entire…