if the Postal Service defaults on the $5.5 billion payment for the retiree health benefits fund, that unfunded liability does not go away;

the Congress needs to set that in the law, and that is where I am stuck.

The failure of the Postal Service would be devastating to our economy.

We strongly support that approach for reasons we have explained in our written testimony.

We support proposals by Senator Carper and Senator Collins to give the Postal Service access to its excess retirement funds.

I rise to introduce the Ethical Shipping Inspections Act of 2011. This bill would prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard from delegating vessel inspection and certification authority to a foreign-based…

I rise today to pay tribute to GEN James E. Cartwright, who is retiring after 40 years of accomplished military service. Since becoming the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on August 4, 2007, General ``Hoss'' Cartwright has…

One year ago today, in fact, President Obama signed an Executive Order (EO) to increase Federal employment of individuals with disabilities.

Senate 261 would require a system change for FECA claimants.

Labor's proposal contains a conversion benefit that would reduce the retirement-eligible FECA claimant's benefits to 50 percent of their gross salary at the date of the injury.

I rise today to introduce the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues Senators Wyden, Alexander, Landrieu, Pryor, and Toomey. Our legislation is straight forward: it would allow the EPA…

Even if there is a satisfactory end-state in Afghanistan, how can we achieve the President's goal of preventing the return of al Qaeda fighters to Afghanistan and Pakistan so long as they can take advantage of the safe havens?

The President has stated the core goal of the U.S. strategy in Central Asia is to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Senators Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman asked the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department to account for how federal training dollars are spent.

I would like to get the opinion of each of you, and let me start by pointing out that last week, on July 11, 2011, the President issued an Executive Order.

I rise today to honor 2LT Robert S. Emerson who is coming home to Maine more than 60 years after he served his country during World War II. Lieutenant Emerson perished when the B-24 aircraft he was flying in crashed in the Philippines on…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 511 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There will now be 2 minutes of debate prior to a vote on the DeMint amendment No. 511. The Senator…

I rise in opposition to the amendment of Senator DeMint. Yesterday the managers' amendment, which was agreed to, retained the Senate confirmation requirement for the legislative affairs positions so the only thing we are talking about here…

I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak as if in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

last night, the Senate unanimously approved S. Res. 185, a resolution I introduced with my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin. Our resolution sends a clear message to the Palestinian Authority that any effort to seek unilateral…

I thank everybody for their cooperation. We worked long and hard on this bill. I thank the Senator from Wisconsin. He raises an excellent point. I thank the majority leader. I thank Senator Alexander and Senator Schumer, who are the chief…

I have no objection. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I want to make sure this has been cleared with the Senator from South Carolina?

I just wish to indicate my support for the amendment offered by the Senator from Louisiana. Although it is drafted a little differently than I would have done it, it does address a real problem; that is, when the President--this President…

I suggest the absence of a quorum, and I ask unanimous consent that the time during the quorum call be equally allocated to both sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will call the roll. The bill…