Previously, he announced he wouldn't seek re-election in 2012 following revelations he had an affair with an aide's wife.

Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign is stepping down on May 3.

This is a very important hearing today and I want to thank all of our witnesses who have taken the time out of their schedules to testify.

S. Res. 85 received the same amount of consideration that a bill to name a post office has. This legislation was hotlined.

This country is literally headed for a financial crisis that we maybe have never seen.

What would a downgrade from AAA to AA of the United States credit rating do to the interest rates and do to your budget projections?

We have to make such difficult--these are going to be painful--politically painful choices to make.

The important thing is getting some of these issues out on the table.

We have to have the kind of tax policy because you cannot just cut your way out of this.

This is about the future of our country.

But the sooner we make them, maybe a little less painful.