I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 21, 2011, at 10 a.m., in Dirksen 406 to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Legislative Issues for…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 21, 2011, at 10 a.m. to conduct a committee hearing entitled ``Enhanced Oversight After the…

first I want to thank my colleague from the great State of Washington for her remarks and her never-ending strong and successful defense of our veterans who have done so much for us. I want to salute my colleague from Washington State. I…

Now to perhaps a less happy subject, the so-called Cut, Cap, and Balance Plan. Let me say we are going to be debating this in the House and in the Senate over the next week. Theater trumps serious solutions as the House Republicans plan a…

Look, I went through this. For 10 years I tried to get the Fed to do a 'Schumer Box,' credit card disclosure.

I want to echo the comments from Senator Reed and many other of my colleagues about the need to preserve independent funding for the CFPB.

We have seen in debates over funding for the SEC and CFTC some Members of Congress use the power of the purse, not just to hold agencies accountable--that is a good thing--but to undermine their mission and achieve deregulation through the…

I would say to all the witnesses that when the 'Schumer Box' actually went into effect, it did bring credit card interest rates down because there was real competition.

Disclosure is how the economy is supposed to work.

it is my distinct honor to rise in support of Paul Oetken's confirmation to the bench of the Southern District of New York. We have a very deep pool of legal talent in New York, but Paul's nomination is one everybody is talking about. Paul…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Nomination of J. Paul Oetken

I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, July 18, 2011, at 5 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 82; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form; that upon the use or yielding…

I understand there is a bill at the desk. I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 2018) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:06 p.m., adjourned until Monday, July 18, 2011, at 2 p.m.

there will be a rollcall vote at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. That vote will be on the confirmation of J. Paul Oetken to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2011; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will receive its second reading on…

But I am not talking about the long-term deficit. I am talking about renewal of the debt ceiling by such a little amount that month after month we would have to come back and renew it.

So you do not agree with those that--that in a sense is default, right?

But if we do not raise the debt ceiling after August 2nd, that would require us to stop paying almost half of our other bills, even if you paid back the debt.

how much time remains? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. On the Democratic side, 15 minutes remains, and there is no time on the Republican side.

I rise to speak about the budget and deficit issues that are facing us. The first point, which is becoming clearer and clearer to the American people, is how bad a default would be. The bottom line is very simple: America has never…

Better to do it through 2013 than do it a month at a time?

Many of us have conflicted feelings about this approach because, on the one hand, it would ensure we do not default, but on the other, it does not make any headway in reducing our debt.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.