We are finishing up the vote, and our colleagues are making their way back over here in the next couple of minutes.

With the ability to put a foot on the brake.

I come from the colony of New Sweden, where the first Swedes came to America, Wilmington, Delaware.

It is critically important that the Federal Government not lose sight of its commitment to remove defense waste in accordance with established agreements with Idaho and other States by 2035.

I support this review and urge that defense waste removal remain a top priority within the Department of Energy.

I thank Senator Carper for scheduling this hearing on the recommendations stemming from the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future.

I continue to support Yucca Mountain as the legally mandated, permanent geologic repository for both defense and civilian high level waste.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 27 servicemembers from California or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since March 1, 2012. This brings to 351 the number of…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Student Loans

The farm bill; is that correct? The Agriculture bill? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

Would the Chair remind me of the pending business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pending business is the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 415, S. 3240.

Mr. President, I rise in honor of National Hunger Awareness Day, which takes place on June 7. On this day, we focus on the difficult reality that exists for millions of Americans. Hunger is a form of poverty, and the persistence of hunger…

I was advised of that, and I wanted to double-check. Three weeks ago we passed a milestone in U.S. agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture celebrated its 150th birthday. I take some pride in that coming from Illinois because it was…

I just left a meeting a few feet away from here with the leaders of some of the American colleges and universities. They came to brief us on a challenge we face across America that we had better be aware of. It is the growing student loan…

Greece's financial calamity should serve as a warning. @BarackObama's massive deficit spending is unsustainable.

We hope that that bill can be introduced within the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Under the law, it is our job to get the waste and to take care of it.

The issue of the storage of nuclear waste is vital to maintaining and expanding affordable nuclear power in the United States.