The question is, just how important is the Mississippi River? The Mississippi River system connects approximately 30 States in our Nation's heartland with the international markets. Sixty percent of all U.S. grain exports are shipped from…

I appreciate what the Senator from Illinois said and I congratulate him not necessarily for the specifics of what he said but for his general demeanor and attitude throughout this entire discussion about the deficit and the debt. He has…

I make a point of order that the amendment offered by the Senator from Iowa is not relevant. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair sustains the point of order. The amendment falls.

Thank you, Mr. President. This situation recalls the debate we had at the beginning of the year when a number of Senators felt as though we needed to make the Senate a more effective institution, which is always a noble goal, but we had…

I believe Senator Harkin is coming in the next few minutes. In the meantime, I thought I would comment on the legislation that has been before the body since late last week--to reduce the number of Senate confirmations of Presidential…

I congratulate the Senator from Oklahoma on his remarks and participation in this debate. Before long, we should have--whenever the majority leader decides--a vote on the Coburn amendment. We are in a position on this resolution that…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called…

I thank Senator Schumer for his leadership, as well as Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman. I will make my full remarks following the vote, but I do want to say this bill helps the Senate do its job under the Constitution. Article 2…

I thank the majority leader and the Republican leader, Senator McConnell, for the way they worked on this legislation. Not just on this bill, but when they were the respective whips of their parties several years ago, each of them working…

I congratulate Senator Schumer for his diligent work on this effort to help the Senate do a better job with its responsibilities of advice and consent. As the chairman of the Rules Committee, he and I have been working together at the…

I thank the distinguished Senators from Maine and Connecticut not just for their comments today but for their work for nearly a decade on this issue. This is hard, slogging work in the Senate. It is not easy to do. As I mentioned earlier…

next Tuesday, the Nation's largest exporter and employer of more than 150,000 Americans will be appearing before an administrative judge in Seattle to defend itself against a claim brought by the acting general counsel of the National…