Repeatedly S&P promised that its ratings would be objective and independent even though the banks and other institutions hired S&P to rate these financial products.

I would like to thank them both.

I believe accountability is appropriate. I also believe that we need to change the model by which the credit rating agency is chosen by the issuer of the product and also paid by them.

The Manchin-Toomey amendment would expand the background check system to cover commercial guns sales.

Under current law, someone who cannot pass a background check to buy a gun simply can go to a gun show or to classified ads and get a gun anyway.

I have heard from a lot of Minnesotans who support the proposal regardless of their views on other aspects of the President's gun violence prevention initiative.

I thank the chairman for yielding time and leading this great debate. You know, we've heard a lot of talk today about job creation, about the number of jobs that would be created by the Keystone pipeline. As somebody who actually lives…

Mr. President, I would like to associate myself with the wise words of my colleague from Missouri, whose State has experienced so much tragedy last year much like the devastation in Oklahoma. On behalf of the State of Minnesota, our hearts…

Mr. President, I rise to offer my support for the sugar reform amendment being offered on the farm bill by Senator Shaheen. This important amendment would begin a reform process that deals with a complicated and burdensome program that…

Mr. President, as parents, we can see the scrapes and cuts our children get--the unavoidable byproducts of growing up. A little bit of ointment and some bandages usually do the trick. But what of the injuries we can't see? The ones we…

Mr. President, I thank my colleague from South Carolina for bringing this forward. We have implemented now another set of sanctions. There is still some question as to whether sanctions will succeed and bring about the result we want, but…

Mr. President, the first thing I want to do is extend our sincere regrets over the tragedy which occurred in Oklahoma. Sincere thoughts and prayers are coming from many Hoosiers for those people who have suffered greatly. Last year we had…

When I talk about energy independence, I am not just talking about oil and gas production. Nuclear energy is, without question, one of the most important assets.

The irony is, in this case, 14 years ago at the same time I was there when the same tornado tracked the same area and hit the same ground, the same.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment and call up Senate amendment No. 960 and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to setting aside the pending amendment…

One last question. Even though I disagree with the answer of the Senator from Michigan for the second question, the first question is whether the Senator from Michigan finds it objectionable that it increased by 100 percent over the past 4…

I thank the gentlelady. We will be prepared to vote on the amendment at noon today. I find it kind of interesting that when I go back to Oklahoma--I know this is offensive to some people--I am back where normal people are. I was giving a…

In listening to the comments of the Senator from Michigan in opposition to this amendment, this occurred to me: Does the Senator from Michigan see that there is anything wrong with the fact that this program has increased by 100 percent in…