Mr. President, we will break now and come back and resume our debate at 2:15. ____________________

Mr. President, according to the agreement, we are going to break now at 12:30 and take up this debate this afternoon and stay on this bill with open debate. Hopefully, it can be productive and cordial and then, hopefully, we can move to…

The Senator and Senator McConnell have an amendment. There is an amendment pending. We only have a minute and a half. I wish to call to the attention of the Chair, Senator Vitter has an amendment which we will take up to discuss later this…

Mr. President, CONNECT, which is out of the University of California, is another important player in this particular field, and Dawnbreaker, a commercialization company. They were part of helping us forge this important compromise. I also…

Mr. President, I thank Senator Snowe. I could not have a better partner on this committee. Her expertise is noted and admired among the Members. She has served as a member of this committee-- oftentimes its chair--for many years. I…

Madam President, I appreciate the cooperation of both leaders to help us get to the floor this morning for a debate on this very important piece of legislation and one that we have actually and, unfortunately, struggled with for the last…

Mr. President, I thank Ranking Member Snowe and, according to the previous agreement, I think we are going to move to a quorum call at this point. Within a short period of time, I think the leadership is going to lay down two amendments…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that in proceeding to the consideration of S. 493 there be a period of debate until noon. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Please let me correct myself. Earlier today I said that Senator Coons is from Connecticut. Clearly he is from Delaware. And Senator Johanns is not on the floor, but Senator Barrasso is. It has been a long day and I apologize to my…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following staff of the Finance Committee be granted the privilege of the floor for the duration of the debate: Andrew Fishburn, Eric Roberts, and Cindy Yang. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 15, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 15, 2011, at 10:15 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing…