I too wish to commend the Senator from Virginia for offering this amendment in conjunction with the Senator from Maryland. I wrote to OPM in July of last year about this very issue. I was very concerned about reports in my own State and…

let me start by responding to the ranking member of the Budget Committee by saying that I could not agree with him more that it is absolutely unacceptable that we have not had a budget passed in the Senate for more than 1,000 days. That is…

I suggest the absence of a quorum, but I will be responding. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I want to echo the thanks to everyone who was involved in formulating this very extensive unanimous consent agreement. We have been working extremely hard the last couple of days to make sure we were being fair to all Members on a bill on…

today, I rise to introduce the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, IPAWS, Modernization Act of 2012. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Lieberman, Scott Brown, Akaka, and Carper in introducing this bill. It will ensure that more…

Secretary Stackley, at a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding Navy ship acquisition, industry officials testified that multiyear procurements (MYP) are incredibly important in terms of stability for the workforce…

first of all, the inspector general verifies the amount of the overpayments. His letter to Senator Lieberman, Senator Carper, Senator Scott Brown, and myself, dated February 2, 2012, says: The postal surplus for the Federal Employees…

I wish to discuss in more detail a key provision of the postal reform bill that is before us; that is, the provision that would refund to the Postal Service an $11 billion overpayment that the Postal Service has made to the Federal…

before my friend and colleague from Maryland leaves the floor, I wish to thank her for her passionate advocacy on behalf of her constituents. I have a similar problem in my home State of Maine, where a processing center has been targeted…

The challenges facing our country and our Navy are great. The administration and Congress have a responsibility to establish budget priorities.

I, too, want to comment on this issue of the prefunding for the health care benefits of future retirees. I think it is important to note that when the 2006 law was written, the Postal Service supported this provision because it recognized…

the Government Accountability Office has also looked at this issue and found that OPM's Actuary did assess that there was an overpayment--what GAO calls a surplus. There is one paragraph in the GAO letter that I particularly want to bring…

I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Today, the Senate begins debate on reform legislation to save an American institution--the U.S. Postal Service. Our Founding Fathers recognized the importance of having a postal service. Article I, section 8 of the Constitution gives…

I am very pleased to join with the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in urging all of our colleagues to cast a vote for cloture on the motion to proceed to this vitally important bill. There are many different views on how to…

at a later time I am going to speak in strong opposition to the substitute offered by the Senator from Arizona, but I must say that he has every right to offer that substitute. We should fully debate it, and then we should vote on it. I am…

today I will vote in favor of proceeding to the President's latest tax plan because it is essential we begin the debate on comprehensive tax reform. I do this despite my disappointment that the President has not proposed a serious starting…

this week marks the 2-year anniversary of the signing into law of President Obama's health care bill. There was no question that our health care system required substantial reform. In passing this law, however, Congress failed to follow…

during the past week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law. This week also marks the 2-year anniversary of the President's signing that law. There is no question that our health…

high energy prices are hurting individuals and families and businesses, particularly during these difficult economic times. While I support the measure before the Senate this week that would eliminate certain subsidies for the largest…

What additional actions is the Department taking or proposing to take to improve its ability to prevent foods containing dangerous pathogens from ever leaving the slaughterhouse, processing facility, or entering the retail chain?

I just want to make two points. The first is that I'm very concerned about the discrepancy in the way the Army Corps regulates developments that affect wetlands.

The Corps has permitting responsibilities under section 404 of the Clean Water Act for development activities that may occur in wetlands.

the implications of this new approach by the New England district is bringing to a halt a lot of very important economic development projects.

I ask that I be notified after 1 minute. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator will be notified.