Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 12, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room SD 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 12, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on June 12, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room SD 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing…

Mr. President, I will take a few moments to speak about the two amendments we will be voting on with motions to table tomorrow and urge that my colleagues, in fact, do vote to table these amendments. I appreciate we have colleagues on both…

Madam President, I know my colleague from New Hampshire wishes to speak, but for the purpose of Members' understanding, I would like to let everyone know what is happening now. We do have two amendments that will be voted on tomorrow…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Equality At Work: The Employment…

Mr. President, in a short while--I think this afternoon--we will officially be back on consideration of what is dubbed the farm bill--the Agricultural Reform, Food, and Jobs Act. This is something we do every 5 years to secure the safest…

Madam President, first I want to thank our leader for his strong support and helping us bring this to the floor. We would not be here without the Senator from Nevada, our leader. Frankly, there are many demands, many things on his plate…

I am encouraged that the President would move quickly to nominate Dr. Macfarlane to serve as Commissioner and to chair the NRC.

Regardless what happens with Yucca Mountain, I think we have to learn from that experience and just be a whole lot smarter going forward as we prepare to take next steps.

I would just add to that, and I have said this in this room before, and this is just my counsel to you, would be to, as the leader, if you are confirmed and become the Chair, to try to focus on what is the right thing to do; not the easy…

Again, thank you both for your testimony today and for your willingness to serve.

I believe that it is important for us to have a fully functioning Commission because today the NRC is addressing some of the most pressing issues that the nuclear industry has faced in years.

The discussion dealt with spent fuel is not going to end up in Yucca Mountain, and how do we go forward and find a place that is suitable in this country or places that are suitable in this country.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Justin Posey, an intern in Senator Paul's office, be granted the privilege of the floor during today's session of the Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Ironically, the point my colleague from New Hampshire made earlier and the statements made by the President's own Defense Secretary about what these cuts would mean just speak volumes. It is absolutely stunning when we look at the impact…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my Republican colleagues, Senators McCain and Ayotte, and myself be permitted to enter into a colloquy for up to 30 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, again I appreciate the leadership of the Senator from New Hampshire as a member of the Armed Services Committee on not only this issue of national security but also as a member of the Budget Committee, where we serve…