this is something that we should be able to take care of without a second thought.

I would like to respond for 5 minutes, and then I will have to take the Chair and relieve the Presiding Officer. Let me again say how much I respect the Senator from Tennessee. No one on his side of the aisle--except perhaps the good…

I wish to follow up on the words of my distinguished colleague from Hawaii and also comment on a few points that the Senator from Wyoming Mr. Enzi made in this important debate that is happening in Washington today--actually a debate that…

I know the Members of the Senate are going to be retiring to caucuses to try to figure out how we are going to move forward, and I am confident, with the good work of the people in this Chamber, we will find a way. Senator Johanns and I…

as we exited the Chamber to go to our Democratic caucus, I am certain my Republican colleagues and friends were talking among themselves as well, trying to find a way forward. A reporter stopped me and said: What do you think the Senate is…

I come to the floor today to add my voice to the voices that have spoken since 11:00 our time about the importance of opening this government and sending a strong signal that the Congress will not default on its debt; that we will pay our…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on October 11, 2013, at 1 p.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The Committee will…

I would like to speak for about 10 minutes. I understand there may be other Senators coming to the floor. I wanted to express my concerns about a few issues that are really important to the people of Louisiana. I understand that the…

I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record this letter that I received. I think all of the Members received this letter that was addressed to Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Boehner, and Representative Pelosi from the…

I am not happy to be here, but it is an honor and a privilege to be on the Senate floor representing the people of Louisiana and speaking for constituents around the country on this important subject. It is unfortunate we are here today…

I ask unanimous consent for 5 more minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

So this is the record. When people say Democrats have not been willing to negotiate, that is false, false, false. We have been trying to negotiate for 6 months, and the way you negotiate is going to a budget conference. Even now we are in…

these are several reasons why this bill needs to be amended. Again, I am not threatening to shut the government down. That is not appropriate to get amendments to this bill. There are ways to amend a bill, and we can work on that. Madam…

let me read this quote from Michael Hecht. He said: It is irresponsible to introduce drastic reforms that will potentially devastate hundreds of thousands of American homes and business owners before basic questions about forgone revenues…

I wish to put something else on the Record as well that is important for us to think about tonight, besides the underlying debate which I have spoken about and the Biggert-Waters reform which unfortunately is going to go into effect…

I am happy to have an opportunity to speak for a minute, particularly following my good friend, the Senator from Alabama. He and I have worked on so many issues. It shows one day you can work together and agree on something and the next…

The bill passed out of the committee on the Senate side. It never did come to the floor at all for debate. It went to the House, was changed pretty dramatically, and then was put in a conference committee. This happens sometimes. It is not…

I wanted to be here to give my support to the concept of this legislation and to acknowledge how important it is.

It's time we act to approve the agreement and provide the Interior Department the necessary authorities to implement it.

I thank the Senator for yielding for a question. I appreciate his leadership as an appropriator. Senator Mikulski was on the floor earlier today, the leader of our committee and the debate about how much to spend and what we should spend…

I thank the Senator, and let me, if I could, Madam President, say a few words about the bill I have the privilege and the responsibility of chairing--the Homeland Security bill. This is a $42 billion appropriations bill. I am very proud to…

today I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the distinguished teacher and agricultural scientist, Dr. Milton C. Rush. Dr. Rush devoted his career to his students, his research, and his tireless efforts to protect and enhance one of…

But I think that if it is not obvious yet it will be obvious to the American people that some people ought to just not be governing.

When I was State Treasurer, I started the first 'bank-at-school' program in Louisiana for exactly that purpose--for the third graders.

I am very proud that this Committee has voted out President Obama's recommendation, and it was our own as well, to increase CDFI authority from $3 billion to $4 billion.