Mr. President, this Congress, members from both sides of the aisle recognize the need to reduce the national deficit. Today, I am introducing the Medicare Prescription Drugs Savings and Choice Act of 2011, a bill that would save taxpayer…

Mr. President, I would like to share my perspectives about the funding for agencies and programs under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. It has been my privilege to chair this…

Madam President, I wish to follow up on what was said by the majority leader. This exercise we are engaged in here, this conversation about how to finish this fiscal year which ends on October 1, is one that I think has gotten out of hand…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the President pro tempore of the Senate be authorized to appoint a committee on the part of the Senate to join with a like committee on the part of the House of Representatives to escort the…

I announce that the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Webb) are necessarily absent. I further announce that, if present…

I announce that the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad), the Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Hagan), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, there was an interesting letter to the editor in the New York Times over the weekend, and it was sent by two Minnesota State representatives. I apologize for not having the names at my fingertips. Democratic and Republican…

I announce that the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad), the Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Hagan), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Webb) are…

Mr. President, the American economy is struggling. We are coming out of recession--unfortunately, too slowly for most of us--but we are emerging. I can recall the ominous days when we first learned of the terrible economic crisis facing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. SETTING THE Record STRAIGHT

This morning the Republican leader came to the floor, Senator McConnell, and made some pretty strong and sweeping statements about the state of the deficit and responsibility. I would like to have a chance to respond. Senator McConnell…

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 ``Improving Employment Opportunities for People with…