I wish to speak for up to 15 minutes, and I may extend my time as the debate goes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I see the Senator from West Virginia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.

I am going to read a letter written by the Members of the Indiana delegation. At least three Republicans have signed this letter: Senator Lugar from Indiana, Representative Dan Burton from Indiana, and Representative Mike Pence from…

I thank the Senator from Illinois. I continue to be amazed at his energy, in terms of leadership and what he does in Washington and his home State of Illinois. I appreciate the comments he has brought to this debate. I wish to say the vote…

I thank the Senator from New York, who has been a strong clarion voice on this issue. He has helped to crystalize what this is about. He is exactly right. I want to read into the Record, as the Senator from Illinois comes to speak, from…

There are other Members who are coming down to speak. But while I have this time, I wanted to just add a few other comments to the Record. First of all, over the weekend, there were some reports and some statements made that this was a…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 23, 2011, at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I come to the floor and will spend the next 15 minutes or so, maybe even longer, to support the arguments made just recently, and I might say eloquently and passionately, by the Senator from Michigan, who was one of the key architects of…

The other point is this: This is not just an issue for one State or two States. That is why Democrats believe strongly about this because this is about the whole country. The President has declared disasters this year in 48 of the 50…

Thank you. This is to Secretary Chu. The State of California has traditionally assumed a leading role in fighting global warming and working to eliminate our dependence on foreign sources of oil. We want to commend you for also taking…

today I rise to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a very special organization that is near and dear to my heart, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, or CCAI as it is more commonly known. This institute was formally…

it is the position of the Democrats--and some Republicans have taken this position--that this is not the right way to go about funding disasters, by requiring offsets. It is not necessary, it has hardly been done in the past--it has been…

I wanted to get here a little earlier this morning, but I was chairing a panel and was unable to do so. I know I only have 10 or 15 minutes or so before the Senator from Texas speaks, so I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. DISASTER RELIEF

I wanted to come to the floor and join my colleagues who were here just a few minutes ago talking about the importance of robust funding and immediate funding for disaster relief in our country. Leader Reid came to the floor to explain the…

I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Mr. Henry Smith, Jr. The people of Louisiana lost a giant of a man when Henry A. ``Buster'' Smith, Jr. passed away on Friday, September 9, 2011, at age 82 after a lengthy…

I know the short debate we had, just in the last couple of hours, and the votes are important, about the Senate and the House figuring out a way as to how to move forward on some of the trade agreements that are pending, and the…

Let me show what some of the Republican leaders who are not in the House of Representatives are saying. And we should listen to them because this is from the Governor of New Jersey, Governor Christie, a leader in the Republican Party, a…

I rise today to honor an extraordinary group of women for their passion and commitment to scientific research. These women have pursued careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields knowing that their…

I would like to speak for final passage. I would like to speak last. Is there anyone who wants to speak in opposition? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there someone to speak in opposition?

in a few minutes, because the two amendments have been debated extensively this afternoon, I want to thank the Senator from Massachusetts for his strong objection to one of the amendments and the eloquent way he expressed the feelings of…

Since there is no opposition that is going to speak, I would like to take those 2 minutes as well. This is a very important vote. I know there are some people who think we should have gone through a regular process. The last time we went…

If not, then I will take the time to close. I wanted to say thanks to several Members, many Members on my side who have helped this week to clarify this issue and to build support for disaster funding for the 48 States that are currently…

I wish to speak, if I could, before the time is out. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection.

I know the vote has been scheduled, but I ask unanimous consent 2 minutes be provided prior to the amendment votes and 4 minutes prior to final passage. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered…