before I yield the floor to the Senator from Arkansas, I would like to again make the point I made earlier. Pending before the Senate is S. 743. This is the Marketplace Fairness Act cosponsored by myself, Senator Enzi, Senator Heitkamp…

I would like to explain where we stand on the pending legislation. This is a bill which has been introduced by Senators Enzi, Alexander, Heitkamp, and myself. It is S. 743. Pending now on this bill is the managers' amendment, which we have…

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: At the end, add the following: This Act shall become effective 1 day after…

let me congratulate my colleague from my neighboring State of Indiana, Senator Donnelly, on his first speech on the floor of the Senate. I can tell you, as a downstater in Illinois, I can identify with so many things he said about his…

this morning our Democratic leader, Senator Reid, and the Republican leader, Senator McConnell, came to the floor and talked about sequestration. Sequestration had an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 74 to 26. What it said was if…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, in room SD-628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``The…

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 ``The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy Education For…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, at 10 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled, ``International Development Priorities in the FY 2014…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Personnel of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The Committee…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 24, 2013, at 10 a.m. to conduct a…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on April 24, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled…

on behalf of Senator Coons, I ask unanimous consent that Amitai Bin-Nun, a fellow in his office, be granted floor privileges for Thursday, April 25. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I wish to ask the Senator from Arkansas if he would yield for a question through the Chair.

I understand that S. 788, introduced earlier today by Senator Reid, is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as…

We just see that we need to be able to defend America.

America is a Pacific power. America and our economic well-being depends in large measure on free access, free commerce, free trade in the Pacific.

What will be the difference in the types of assignments that this new unit might face?

I think it is important that we at this level, at the Appropriations Committee, ask some of these important questions about this critical program.

It is my understanding that current deployment to Sigonella in Italy has resulted in the frequent deployment of 15- to 20-man teams to advise, assist, and train friendly militaries in Africa.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be…

I ask unanimous consent that if the Senate receives H.R. 475 from the House of Representatives and the bill is identical to the text which is at the desk, then the bill be read three times and the Senate proceed to a vote at a time to be…

I thank my colleague from Tennessee for coming to the floor. He has been here with some frequency together with the Republican Senator from Wyoming to discuss the matter which is pending before the Senate. What is pending before the Senate…

there will be two rollcall votes at noon tomorrow on confirmation of the Kelly and Burwell nominations. Additional votes in relation to the Marketplace Fairness Act are possible on Wednesday. We have urged all Senators with amendments to…