Mike Levin

I thank the Senator for his clarification. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that $35 million could be utilized in operations and maintenance funding just to restore minimum operations in the Great Lakes system. I am hopeful that $35…

I thank the Senator. I am pleased the bill includes $821 million to dredge federal navigation channels and repair damage to Corps projects nationwide related to natural disasters. Would federally-authorized Great Lakes harbors and channels…

Would the near-historic low water levels of the Great Lakes caused by drought and mild winters be considered a natural disaster?

In addition to response, recovery and mitigation related to Hurricane Sandy damage, I also understand this bill provides funds to help respond to other natural disasters. I would ask the manager of the bill, Senator Leahy, is that correct?

I first want to thank the Senator from Colorado for his work on reforming our Nation's export control laws. The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions addressing these issues. I support his efforts in…

I call up a list of 11 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Kyl amendment No. 2927, as modified by the changes at the desk; Akaka amendment No. 3019; Toomey amendment No. 3062; Brown of Ohio amendment No. 3113…

In a moment I am going to note the absence of a quorum unless there is someone who wishes to speak. I want to try to work through this pending issue. I think it is the last issue we need to work through in some way before there will be a…

This discharge petition frames the issue immediately before us: will Republicans take America over the cliff, and the middle class tax cuts with them, in order to protect tax breaks for the very wealthy. And will they take the economy with…

I call up a list of 13 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Coats amendment No. 2923, as modified by the changes at the desk; Webb amendment No. 2943; Casey amendment No. 2997, as modified by the changes at the…

We are making some very important progress. We are hopeful there may be another package of cleared amendments even before the vote on cloture later this afternoon. If not, we will nonetheless be offering that list of cleared amendments…

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 607 as a further mark of respect to the memory of former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota. There…

I join in that too. Now, we have to close. I don't know if we have the closing. We do. ____________________

I thank Senator McCain. He very humorously, with his great, good nature, kind of joshes himself comparing his patience to mine. My standard is not the one that anybody wants to follow around here; We will never get anything done. He is…

I call up now a list of 17 amendments which have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Wyden amendment No. 2959; Bingaman amendment No. 2984; Grassley amendment No. 3079; Barrasso amendment No. 3082; Vitter amendment No. 3087, as…

I didn't have to be there to know that the Vice President would lose any bet where he is betting anyone that he will be shorter than anybody on any subject. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Alabama.

And I understand that there was a quantity, and there was also a fairly long speech by the Vice President which delayed things on the floor by a few hours--by a few minutes, excuse me. But I hear it was a wonderful tribute. I only wish I…

Before Senator Shaheen leaves the floor, I want to add my thanks to her and for those words expressed by Senator McCain. Senator Shaheen is, indeed, an extraordinary Member of this body and a great asset for us on the Armed Services…

Let me thank Senator Kyl with the way in which he has worked with Senator Kerry. It is very constructive and very important. I want to tell him how much we all appreciate that working together. I believe Senator Shaheen is going to want to…

Then is it the Senator's intent to send a new amendment to the desk? Is that it?

Is this the amendment that has been amended after discussions with Senator Kerry?

Would all Senators please note--I wish to thank the leader for this--he used the word, referring to Senator McCain and me, as ``seasoned'' Senators rather than older Senators. Thank you. Amendment No. 3073 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore…

I oppose this amendment. We are cutting military end strength by 5 percent over the next 5 years. In this budget situation, we have no choice but to cut the Defense Department civilian employee and contractor workforces as well. This gives…

I think the order is that we now proceed to consideration of the Cardin amendment. Amendment No. 3025

We would have to reserve the right--if you could call up the amendment and then hold off on any modification until we can see it. Amendment No. 3009

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 604 as a further mark of respect to the memory of former Senator Warren B. Rudman of New Hampshire. There…