To say that the work of the NRDA Trustees is important would be a huge understatement.

Cutting the Women's Business Center program will compromise SBA's legacy and its ability to help lead the Nation out of this recession and will call into question the fundamental reason for their existence.

Government contracts are perhaps one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways the Government can help immediately increase sales for America's entrepreneurs, giving them the tools they need to keep our economy strong and create jobs. By…

I understand the market collapsed and these loans were made prior to this Administration coming on.

I am going to try to fix this legislatively because while it might be too late for the people of Louisiana, it is very timely for the people of Joplin, Missouri.

It is our duty in Congress to provide the statutory tools necessary to create additional deterrence against fraud.

I just want to go on the record that I think it is something, with the Chairman of the Subcommittee here on Disaster Response and Preparedness, I thought I would bring it up before Senator Pryor, and the two of us are going to work on some…

I appreciate the timely and comprehensive response Administrator Mills provided my office and believe these administrative changes present additional deterrence to those who perpetuate fraud against the Government.

I ask unanimous consent that the period of morning business be extended until 3:30 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

If we eliminate the SBA's valuable programs specifically targeted for women, what are we saying about the value that we place on women in our country and our belief in their ability to play a vital role in turning this economy around?

I rise to bring to the Senate's and the Congress's attention a great challenge that we have before us relative to the budget of the Department of Homeland Security and, frankly, it is a challenge facing the entire budget of the United…

today I join my colleagues in introducing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This bill will prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, a practice that the majority of Americans oppose and of which many are unaware…

Through the Chair, I understand Senator Coburn, under the UC, has the next 15 minutes. But, through the Chair, I would end my question by saying that I think the Senator is right. There are some regulations that are coming fairly fast and…

Would the Senator yield for a question? Is the Senator aware that there are at least four other bills--Senator Vitter, Senator Roberts, Senator Collins, and Senator Portman--and, in addition, that Senator Lieberman is developing a…

how much time is remaining? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine has 4 minutes, and the remaining time for the Democratic side is 35 minutes. The Senator from Maine.

I understand our side has about 50 minutes left in this debate on the Snowe amendment and we will vote at 2:15. I will speak for the next 15 or 20 minutes. There is nobody else on the floor on our side. I will continue to try to answer…

the Senator from California was on the Senate floor this morning, Mrs. Boxer, advocating passage of this bill and urging colleagues to vote against the Snowe amendment. I am here to support that position. I would like to respond briefly to…

I think the answer is clearly yes.

I think that we need to not only have this program supporting companies that have long been in this industry, but companies that are emerging and have real potential to create more competition and more robust competition around the country.

I strongly disagreed with and continue to.

I just wanted to get that off my chest this morning, and our efforts for fair revenue sharing for coastal States that are at least equivalent to what interior States receive now will go on with some renewed energy.

the thought that this will generate $4 billion when it's up and producing annually for the Federal Government, and not a penny will go to these Gulf Coast States that served as a platform now for this industry for the last 60 to 70 years…

Senator Landrieu and I introduced legislation last Congress which would help unlock this potential by expanding the DOE Loan Guarantee program.

The South is emerging as quite a powerhouse in the automobile, and we'd like to make sure that that remains.

I think we have had a very good and thorough hearing.