if I could reserve the right to object, and I may or may not object but---- The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is no unanimous consent at this time.

has a unanimous consent request been propounded, or was the majority leader simply stating that we would proceed to vote on Tuesday unless there was objection? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

I wish to be recognized to speak then. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader still has the floor.

Proposals that raise marginal tax rates go the wrong direction from a tax reform proposal.

Let us talk about raising the retirement age because that is one thing that we now have the ability to do in Medicare that would save money in ways that created better incentives.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Crisis in Sudan

I rise this evening to call attention to the disturbing developments in Sudan and the newly created nation of South Sudan. I fear the ongoing violence there risks undermining the progress that has been made for lasting peace after decades…

Secretary Panetta, why are these people performing maintenance or conducting training that has traditionally been performed by the Active-Duty Force?

I am concerned that our military schools and education facilities are not as efficient as they could be.

I am also troubled by the expanding use of contractors and consultants to perform jobs typically performed by our Active Duty personnel.

I am taking a close look at the $1.1 billion requested by the administration for the PCCF.

My initial thinking is that the funding needs additional benchmarks and criteria which ensure that our money is spent wisely.

The Marine Corps will be conducting studies in August 2011 to determine the relationship between time spent in the amphibious vehicle and combat effectiveness and identify potential improvements.

We applaud Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker for their leadership on this important piece of legislation.

I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to two law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty at the U.S. Capitol on July 24, 1998. Thirteen years ago today, Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Michael…

I ask to speak as in morning business. I certainly will not take 10 minutes that the majority leader has requested because I know the Senator from Alabama is eager to speak. I wish to make sure I understand where we are with regard to the…

I think absolutely it should cause concern and this is something both parties have campaigned on in the past, the lack of transparency, the lack of time, things being rushed through at the last minute. But my larger point is that on Friday…

And so, you face this coercion.

The detention issue, delay of docks, is the 800-pound gorilla in any meaningful safety discussion in this country.

Absolutely. Somehow the President, who made a very cogent and correct statement in 2009, has completely changed his tune now. We could have a budget deal in place on the floor of the House and Senate and ready to be passed if the President…

Well, I guess I got to the House in 1995; my friend from Alabama came to the Senate 2 years later. I don't think we could have imagined an annual deficit of $1.5 trillion in 1 short year. We are spending that much more than we are taking…

Of course, the process is important, and it is designed for the President and the Congress to work together to solve these problems. I think the process may be broken, which I think points up why we really, bottom line, need a…

Yes, I appreciate that. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Mississippi. The Federal Debt

I ask unanimous consent to have another minute. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I wonder if my colleague from Mississippi will yield at this time.