Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time during these quorum calls be charged to both sides equally. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, we are back in our fourth week trying to get a transportation bill through this body. To me, it is a very sad statement about the dysfunction of this body that we spent approximately 3 weeks dithering over a contraception…

Mr. President, I wish today to pay tribute to 15 servicemembers from California or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since November 15, 2011. This brings to 324 the number of…

Mr. President, California and the Nation are mourning the loss of seven courageous and dedicated marines who died last week in a midair helicopter collision during a routine training exercise in a remote mountain area in Imperial County…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________

Mr. President, I have news for the supporters of the Blunt amendment: We were not born yesterday. And no matter how many times they say this is nothing more than a restatement of old laws, the facts are not with them. We have never had a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to speak for 5 minutes, and that Senator Murray conclude our side with 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

In that letter, he said: ``You are entitled to your own opinions but I ask that, moving forward, you do not confuse my father's position with your own.'' He said: ``I appreciate the past respect you have expressed for his legacy, but…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Dental Crisis in America: The Need to Expand…

Mr. President, could the Presiding Officer tell me what the pending business is? Are we on the Transportation bill at this time? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority has 4 minutes in morning business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 29, 2012, at 11 a.m., to hold a briefing entitled, ``Update on the Crisis in Syria.'' The…

Madam President, this is a panel of men who were called by House Republican Chairman Issa to testify about women's health--not one woman there, but they were the experts. They denied this woman the chance to speak. If she had been allowed…