Mr. President, how much time do we have? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Eight minutes. The other side has 9 minutes.

Mr. President, I always enjoy engaging in good debate with my friend from Tennessee. He is a very thoughtful Senator, a very thoughtful member of our Committee too, and a good friend. Having been a former Secretary of Education, he has a…

Mr. President, here we are with an empty Senate Chamber, while families across the country are wondering whether they are going to have to come up with more money to pay higher interest rates on student loans beginning July 1. It is going…

Mr. President, I hope the Republicans will talk among themselves. I hope they will listen to the students and their families who don't want to be hung out there this week and next week and on and on and on not knowing whether they are…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

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 May 8, 2012, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Expanding Refinancing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Airland of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2012, at 3 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet in open session on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 10 a.m. in SD 430 Dirksen Senate Office…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on…

My @gretawire interview discussing the economy, unemployment numbers, China, Charles Barkley,France and the election http://t.co/t8vXrOYz

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Joe Mahoney, a fellow in Senator Bingaman's office, be granted the privilege of the floor during consideration of today's bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, the Senate is now considering the motion to proceed to the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act. The time until noon will be divided between the two parties, with the majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the…

Mr. President, I now object to further proceedings with respect to each of these bills. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bills will be placed on the calendar under rule XIV. ____________________

Mr. President, over the last 2 weeks, Senate Republicans have repeatedly claimed they support efforts to keep interest rates low for Federal student loans. In fact, Presidential nominee Mr. Romney has said the same. There is only one way…

Mr. President, I understand there are four bills at the desk due for a second reading, and I would ask the Chair to move these forward. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bills by title for the second time. The…

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the Hispanic Museum of Nevada--Museo Hispano de Nevada--for its 20 years of service to our community. For the last two decades, Museo Hispano de Nevada has been guided by its mission…

I look forward to working with Senator Kohl and with your office on strengthening our trade secret protections.

As you know, many of us on the Committee share a concern about enforcement of the Act, and we will be paying close attention to the progress that you will be making.