I support reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank before its mandate expires on September 30, 2011.

As a self-sustaining agency, it carries no cost to the taxpayer.

I urge this Committee to adopt commonsense reforms to render Ex-Im a more competitive and effective global export credit agency.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. U.S. Assistance to Pakistan

I rise to commend the Senate Appropriations Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Graham, on a decision we made yesterday as a full committee with regard to U.S. assistance to Pakistan. In short, what the…

today I am pleased to join with Senator Frank Lautenberg to introduce the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act of 2011 to help protect the millions of Americans who utilize public beaches each day. Unfortunately, every year many…

I rise along with my colleague from Illinois, our senior Senator, Mr. Durbin, and, of course, Senator Rockefeller, related to the Percy family, to eulogize Senator Percy, whom he we lost on Saturday--a great and one of the most successful…

I ask unanimous consent to suspend the time limitation and continue for 8 minutes to eulogize Senator Percy. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

joining as part of this effort, I think we need to reform No Child Left Behind and that we should focus on making sure we preserve disclosure and the right of parents to know how their schools are doing, without destroying the school…

I wish to speak briefly on the subject of our relations with Pakistan. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

earlier this week, I gave a talk based on my service in Afghanistan as a reservist, about the growing threat of a new group to our forces in Afghanistan, ISAF, and the Afghan Government. It is not al-Qaida, which is armed and dangerous…

I am pleased to stand here today and introduce the Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011 with my colleague from Oregon, Senator Ron Wyden. Every year, at least $60 billion in the Medicare program is attributed to waste, fraud, and abuse…

I support H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, because this long-overdue patent reform will spur innovation, create jobs and strengthen our economy. In particular, I am proud that this legislation contains a provision I worked…

I want to take some time today to talk about my views on Afghanistan and why we should rethink aid to Pakistan. I just completed my third 2-week reserve assignment in Afghanistan. While many Members of Congress get a firsthand look at the…

I rise today in honor of the fallen soldiers from Hero Street USA in Silvis, Illinois and ask that the Senate recognize the memorial park on Hero Street as Hero Street Memorial Park. In 1967, 2nd Street in Silvis, Illinois was renamed…

although this bill reflects a balanced approach, Americans also expect a balanced budget. We need to apply the common sense of the heartland to spend within our means, as each family does with their monthly budget. The battle over this…

The bottom line is we cannot let the lessons learned from Fukushima become a forgotten story by dragging our feet on some of these critical short-and long-term improvements that can be made now.

I just filed an amendment to S. 1323 to BRAC the spectrum. This would give us the maximum auction revenue and access to spectrum for economic development and deficit reduction. I am proud to have the amendment endorsed by Americans for Tax…

We are working with the chairman to make sure that we do not see a couple of school districts implode that support the military families there.

Senator Durbin and I are also working on the Durbin-Kirk ALL-STAR legislation to expand charter school opportunities for kids.

this past Sunday a New York Times editorial entitled ``In the Wake of Fukushima'' noted: If nuclear power is to have a future in this country, Americans have to have confidence that regulators and the industry are learning the lessons of…

As we continue to debate our economic future I would like to announce July's Silver Fleece Award winner. This month's most wasteful spending project is another example of the egregious Federal spending habits of this government and…

Thank you for having me on this committee.

I would just hope you would use your systemic risk authority, because I think that is your big 'get out of jail free' card, to look at threats to the U.S. financial system, and I am worried that States are so powerful and so politically…

I also thank Dave Schiappa, Laura Dove, and Ashley Messick on the Senate floor for guiding this bill through; Chairman Inouye and especially his staff director, Charlie Houy; Vice Chairman Cochran and his staff director, Bruce Evans. I…