the proposed rule we are discussing today would more than double the threshold to extend overtime requirements to anyone earning up to $50,440.

you all take positions that are outliers, in my experience, in terms of small business organizations

I would disagree with any suggestion that they are listening to small business. It is two very different things.

I commend you and thank you for recognizing the need for some additional SBREFA panels, specifically Fish and Wildlife, which I agree with.

So, that concern is based on GAO being Congressionally based?

I do not want to cut you off

I am going to continue working with all the committee members on a bipartisan bill to find additional ways to protect small businesses and ensure their voice is heard in the rulemaking process.

It has become much more challenging for the owner of a small firm to shift his or her time and energy and money away from growing a business in order to comply with over-demanding regulations, particularly those that have increased under…

I rise to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oilspill that took the lives of 11 men and devastated so many gulf coast communities. It was a horrible event, but I think it is very important and…

I can tell you from Louisiana there were four major chemical manufacturing projects under active consideration for Baton Rouge.

I think it is very clear to all of us that there were multiple failures of government at multiple levels with regard to this issue.

After EPA first proposed lowering the ozone standard in December 2014, those were canceled.

Thank you all for joining me today for the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee's Hearing on recent disaster recovery efforts and SBA's progress in implementing the Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster…

Your bipartisan leadership has enabled SBA to reopen loan application processes this year for those still working to rebuild in Sandy's aftermath.

the Recovery Opportunity Loan Program in the RISE Act has a good opportunity for success

Although Louisiana knows better than anyone the challenges of rebuilding after a storm, the historic flooding we saw left nearly half the state under a FEMA disaster declaration, with even more parishes qualifying for SBA assistance.

I want to thank both of you and your agencies for your response recently in Louisiana. It has been very proactive and very aggressive, and we appreciate that.

I also want to thank Chairman Vitter, Senator Booker, and the members of the Committee for your passion and persistence on behalf of the survivors of Superstorm Sandy.

I rise today to honor my longest serving staff member, my chief of staff, campaign manager, and close friend Kyle Ruckert, who is departing the Senate at the end of this week to start an exciting new career. Kyle was one of my very first…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Tribute to Kyle Ruckert

Well, just for the record, humans are animals too, so I hope we get equal footing in the future.

today I honor the late Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Antonin Scalia. During his many years of serving our country, Justice Scalia proved to be a great defender of our constitutional liberties. Regardless of one's…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 9, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., in room SD-406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 9, 2016, in room SD-628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:15 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 9, 2016, at 2 p.m., in room SD-226 of the…