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

today I rise with a heavy heart because our Nation has lost one of its outstanding citizens and many of us have lost a dear friend. Charlie Morgan, chief warrant officer of the New Hampshire National Guard, passed away early Sunday morning…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 14, 2013, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Wall Street Reform: Oversight of…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing entitled ``Drought, Fire and Freeze: The Economics of Disasters for America's Agricultural Producers,'' during the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. in room SR 328A of the Russell Senate office building. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate office building. The Presiding Officer…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on banking, housing…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Health…

Senator Collins and I are here because we agree we must take action in this body and in this Congress to avoid sequestration. Sequestration is a term we have all been throwing around, and it refers to the automatic cuts that are scheduled…

I thank Senator Collins very much for her kind words. I know we both care a great deal about this situation we are in, as I think most of the Members of the body do. What is so frustrating is that it is avoidable. This is not something…