I call up my amendment No. 2191. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Tennessee [Mr. Alexander] proposes an amendment numbered 2191. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To…

I thank the majority leader. I simply wanted to say I did not object to a voice vote on Mr. Hurwitz's confirmation, but I wished to make this statement. Last night, I voted for cloture because when I became a Senator, Democrats were…

over the last several years, first as Governor of Tennessee and later as a U.S. Senator, I have learned that healthier air also means better jobs for Tennesseans. That is why I intend to vote to uphold a clean air rule that requires…

I wish to congratulate the Senator from Arkansas for his very clear explanation of what we are about here. The United States produces 25 percent of all the wealth in the world every year. In order to do that, we use about 20 to 25 percent…

Mr. Friedman said he had just returned from Seattle, where he saw a stunning amount of innovation. He said it filled him both with exhilaration and with dread. The question is, Is the United States prepared to deal with the innovation we…

it was a pleasure to hear the Senator from Minnesota speak on the farm bill. I congratulate Senator Roberts and Senator Stabenow for their hard work, as well as the Senator from Minnesota. I would like to take 10 minutes to speak on a…

How much time is remaining? The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 1 minute 20 seconds.

It is reassuring to me my friend on the other side of the aisle is reading the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal. I am sure that will have some constructive benefit over the next several months. But here is the bottom line, a…

Our case is so compelling, Mr. President. We yield back the rest of our time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

on July 1, 7 million students getting new loans to go to college, the rate for interest will go from 3.4 to 6.8. This is an amendment to get a result. This is the House-passed bill. President Obama says he wants to freeze the rate for a…

we have 2 minutes left. I will use one of them. Our friends on the other side have their usual solution to almost any problem: Let's put some more taxes on small business men and women in America during a time of the greatest recession we…

I thank the majority leader for bringing up this bill. He and the Republican leader have put on the floor a piece of legislation that affects nearly every American family. This will not have the fireworks some things we do have, because we…

The Senator from Delaware is not yet on the floor but I know he is coming. Because I know other Senators wish to speak at 2 o'clock, I am going to go ahead with my remarks. When he comes I will let him go ahead with his. Each year…

at noon the Senate will be voting on two of President Obama's nominees to the Federal Reserve Board. These are important positions. They have long terms. They come at a time when our economy is in trouble and doing its best to recover. In…

what is reflected on the Senate Web site is the action the Senate is about to take at noon today. There has been at least one vacancy--and sometimes two--on the Federal Reserve Board since 2006. That is 6 years ago. That is one whole…

I ask consent the Senator from Delaware, Senator Coons, and I could have a colloquy for up to 15 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Student Immigration

Senator Coons is one of the most eloquent speakers we have in the Senate. He did a beautiful job in explaining the bill. I hope it attracts support from both Republicans and Democrats. He mentioned the fact there are other immigration…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The Clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll.

I think that is a reasonable request. I wonder if I might ask on behalf of Senator Coons that if he should come to the floor during that period, he be recognized for 1 minute to simply stand up and say he was planning to do this, but we…

Thank you, Mr. President. The House-passed budget and the budget proposed by Senator Toomey are opportunities to take the next step after the Budget Control Act. I look forward to working with them to adopt a responsible budget that grows…

Well, Mr. President, what I wish to request is-- Senator Coons and I were hoping to introduce a piece of legislation on another matter and talk about it. I think, given the focus on the budget here, I am going to suggest to Senator Coons…

am I now recognized for 5 minutes? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee is recognized for 5 minutes.

Thank you, Mr. President. Please let me know when 30 seconds is remaining. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will do so. Foreign Student Legislation

Senator Coons will come to the floor in a few minutes. He and I have been working together on legislation that many Senators on both sides of the aisle support. Very simply, it pins a green card on the lapel of any foreign student who is…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Charter Schools