I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 137, which was submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as…

last year, the Supreme Court issued a decision in a case named Citizens United v. FEC. In this sweeping decision that ignored decades of precedent, the Supreme Court held that corporations and unions could spend as much money as they want…

I understand the Senate has received H.R. 658 from the House and, under the previous order, I ask that the Senate proceed to that measure. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to the order of February 17, 2011, all after the enacting clause is…

like the majority leader, I was here the last time there was a government shutdown. I never believed it would reach that point. I certainly didn't believe it would be a long shutdown, but it turned out to be over 2 weeks before it was…

I rise to speak in morning business, even though it is the evening--the nature of the Senate rules and procedure. During the course of the day, we have had a number of colleagues coming to the floor and talking about the looming shutdown…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 136 submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A…

I commend my colleague from Alaska. I do not know the particulars of his bill, but as I listened to his description of it, it is long overdue. Simplifying this Tax Code so the average American believes it is fair and understandable is…

we are now in the countdown phase as to whether this government of the United States of America--the most prosperous Nation in the world--is going to shut down, turn out the lights, close its doors, and walk away. That could happen…

we are hopeful we can reach an agreement on the budget tomorrow. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

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. 750 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives…

we continue to work to complete action on the small business bill. We also hope to deal with the continuing resolution by the end of the week. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be…

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill by printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 749 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives…

three years ago, a mentally disturbed gunman walked into a campus lecture hall at Northern Illinois University and shot 22 students, killing 5 of them. Northern Illinois University is not the first college to experience this kind of…

I continue to receive letters weighing in on the issue of interchange fee reform. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record letters or statements from the following organizations: the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Main Street…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 134, introduced earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A…

I rise to speak about the issue of Wall Street reform, which I know is near and dear to the Senator from New York, who represents Wall Street. I do believe what Congress achieved last year on Wall Street reform was wise not only for our…

it is my understanding that the Democrats have the first half of morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is correct.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent the Senate recess until 10 a.m. tomorrow. There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:10 p.m., recessed until Thursday, April 7, 2011, at 10 a.m…

I ask unanimous consent to be recognized in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

They had $17 billion in profits and a 4-percent profit margin. That sounds like a lot and it is, but not compared to the big banks. JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest issuers of debit cards, had $17.4 billion in profits last year. That is…

I say in response--and this will be my last response because I have to run to a meeting--but the interesting point about Chairman Ryan's proposal is the money does not go to the senior citizens under Medicare; the money goes to the…

Yes, I say to the Senator from Florida, that is my understanding. But it also includes a 28-percent reduction in the amount of money the Federal Government is going to pay into this. So in your State, and mine, too, a lot of elderly people…

I would say to the Senator from Florida, representing a State as diverse as his, with rural areas and major urban centers, there are some areas where private health insurance companies are not going to do business because it is not…