the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will meet on February 13, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. in room 432 of the Russell Senate Office building to conduct its organizational meeting. ____________________

It is vital that we treat our newfound wealth of natural gas in a fashion which protects the interests of states.

I know Senator Harkin is on the floor with others to present several new pieces of legislation or to speak on items pending. I wanted to take a moment of personal privilege to say just a few words about the spectacular sporting event that…

I ask unanimous consent for 1 of those 5 minutes? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I thank the chairlady. Is it not the opinion of the Senator from Maryland that if the Lee amendment gets on this bill, it will, in fact, kill the Sandy supplemental? Isn't that the Senator's understanding of what will happen if the Lee…

I regret having missed the January 24, 2013, vote on S. Res. 15, a resolution to improve procedures for the consideration of legislation and nominations in the Senate. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of S. Res. 15…

I thank my colleagues. Let me say that it is my clear view and opinion that if the Lee amendment is passed, the Sandy supplemental will die. There is strong feeling--led by this Senator from Louisiana, to the Senators who are arguing for…

Is it not the understanding of the Senator from Maryland that if the Lee amendment gets adopted--which I don't believe it will--the bill will be either killed or in serious danger of passing?

I thank my colleague for her extraordinary, robust, and enthusiastic leadership on this important piece of legislation that will send hope and help to the Northeast, to the dozens of counties throughout New York, New Jersey, and even the…

how much time is remaining? The PRESIDING OFFICER. No time is remaining on the Democratic side. The Republicans have 5 minutes remaining.

I came to the floor this afternoon to speak briefly about Hurricane Sandy and what the Senate and the House could and should be doing to help the survivors of this catastrophic disaster that occurred now over 3 months ago on the northeast…

I ask unanimous consent the period of morning business be extended until 6 p.m. today, and that all provisions of the previous order remain in effect. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Warren). Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I rise today to recognize a trailblazer and role model: Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette J. Johnson. On February 1, 2013, Justice Johnson will become Louisiana's first African-American Chief Justice and only the second female…

I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 90th birthday of the ``Queen of Creole Cuisine,'' Mrs. Leah Chase of New Orleans, LA. Mrs. Chase was born in Madisonville, LA on January 6, 1923, and moved to New Orleans as a…

I rise today to recognize Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine D. Kimball, who is scheduled to retire in 2013. It was 1975 and the courtroom was packed in New Roads, LA. The people in the courtroom weren't there to hear the…

I am proud to join my friend, the Senator from Missouri, on the floor to add voice to this travesty that has recently occurred. The Senator from Missouri described the situation accurately; that a country that claims to be a powerful…

The Senator is correct that this bill is full of reforms that he and I and others have worked on. But every one of these reforms has been agreed to on both sides of the aisle; this has not. The Senator could continue to work with us and…

I rise in opposition to this amendment. But I wish to say the Senator from Oklahoma raises a very good point. But this comes under the jurisdiction of the committee that he is actually the ranking member on, with the new chairman, Senator…

I understand there is no more time necessary on this amendment, and we call for the vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is all time yielded back? The question is on agreeing to the amendment.

I would like to just say a word broadly in response to Senator Coburn's statement and his offering of several amendments to substantially in some cases and in other cases not so substantially change this bill. I thank the Senator from…

I would like to call up the amendment, if I could. The staff reminds me I did not do that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Louisiana [Ms. Landrieu]…

I ask unanimous consent that two letters--one from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and one from the International Association of Fire Fighters--be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be…

I rise to discuss amendment No. 3415. It is my understanding there is no opposition to this amendment. We may be able to voice vote it tonight. But let me take 1 minute to explain it. This is a technical correction to an underlying…

as Congress continues its work addressing our Nation's looming fiscal crisis, we must also remember that we have a responsibility to our taxpayers to improve outcomes for young people and their families by driving Federal funds more…