Madam President, I wish to thank my colleagues who have come down to the floor this afternoon for their efforts to offer what I believe are very substantive, very meaningful amendments to the legislation that is before us. I think we can…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for no more than 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I am disappointed we won't have an opportunity to offer the amendments. Several of my colleagues will be coming down to offer their amendments. We have been told that the tree has been filled. The amendment I am proposing--I…

Mr. President, I have another issue I wish to bring up today in the remainder of my time. I have two other amendments I would like the body to consider. I understand what the Chair has just said. One of the things that I think we recognize…

The Chair is saying that the amendment slots have been filled by the majority leader, is that right? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

Mr. President, I follow my friend and colleague from North Dakota who has been a real leader in these Chambers trying to educate not only those in these Chambers but people across the country as to the value and importance of the Keystone…

Mr. President, I don't see anyone in the queue, if I may have another minute to wrap up. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a good discussion on the floor today. I join with my colleague from California in urging that the House move to the Transportation bill. But that is not why I rise this afternoon. I wish to speak on the…

Mr. President, these are news stories, not editorials. One is from Platts Energy; the other is from the Wall Street Journal. Both detail an announcement from the British Government that it is going to reverse its own taxes on the oil…

If we are really serious in the Senate about what we are doing in terms of increasing our long-overdue requirement to up our oil resources, our oil production and supply, we know how. We have opportunities from our neighbors to the north…

Madam President, I too stand today to pay recognition to a friend, a colleague, and truly a woman who brings a smile to my face. Because for as many years as she has served her State of Maryland, for as many years as she has served in the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 2197 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…