And, by the way, to boot, wouldn't that hurt the economy?

OK, and that is the outcome some of us are working toward right now, so I appreciate that, because to do one without the other does not make much sense.

It would be better to do both than just one.

It is amazing that we have people in this room who supported trillions in tax cuts and two unpaid-for wars, but now say it is up to veterans and the seniors and the troops to sacrifice a bit more so millionaires don't have to.

I rise to speak about a subject that is foremost on my mind and the mind of my Democratic colleagues here today; that is, the danger of defaulting on our debt. In the entire history of this great country, we have never once defaulted on…

first let me thank the Senator from New Mexico for his heartfelt remarks. I know how much he cares about his constituents and our country. We too at the opposite end of the country thank our soldiers for their sacrifice and also the…

I believe the real reason some companies don't want to reveal it is because they would find it embarrassing to reveal that they pay their CEO say 400 times what they pay their typical employee.

Investors have an interest in CEO pay disclosures for a variety of reasons.

removing any doubt that the Commission had the authority to issue a proxy access rule.

Do you believe such information would be useful to investors?

first I thank my good friend and colleague from Minnesota, Senator Franken, for leading this debate here today, the subject of course being the potential of default by the U.S. Government, a subject many of us thought we would never have…

I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). Without objection, it is so ordered.

before I begin on my time, I would like to ask my colleague from Louisiana if he would answer a question.

I thank my colleague. My colleague is right. We should move on this, this year. We certainly agree with that. Of course, the balanced budget amendment wouldn't take effect for years to come. But my colleague just voted for the Ryan budget…

I thank my colleague. I would say it is time to walk the walk, not talk the talk. Whenever folks refuse to step to the plate to actually balance the budget--the last President to do so being Bill Clinton--they start talking about a way…

I would note, for my colleague--reclaiming my time--the Ryan budget is not a dramatic step in that direction. The Ryan budget, as I understand it, does not do a thing in the first decade to reduce the deficit. It cuts a lot of spending…

I believe I am the next speaker. I ask unanimous consent to cede the Senator from Oregon 3 minutes of my 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

First, Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Oregon. Once again, he is forthright, he is courageous, he is on the money, and people should listen to him because he says a lot of good things about a lot of subjects, including this one. I…

No. We need it at 6:10 p.m. So if the Senator wants to speak beyond 5 minutes, that is OK with us.

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the previous order for the votes to begin at 11 a.m., there now be 10 minutes equally divided between the two leaders or their designees prior to the votes; further, that there be 2 minutes…

I ask unanimous consent that at 6:10 p.m., the Senate proceed to a vote in relation to the Coburn amendment No. 521; that all other provisions of the previous order with respect to the Coburn amendment remain in effect; that upon…

I will take the 5 minutes on our side. Madam President, I rise and join my colleagues in strong support of the nominations reform package before us today. This bipartisan bill and resolution which we will vote on a bit later will…

if my colleague from Tennessee has yielded, I will read a brief statement about what we are voting on. I encourage my colleagues to support S. Res. 116, which streamlines certain nominations through the Senate. Once again, I wish to thank…

the last thing we need when we are trying to get back on track is a default crisis that would grind our economy to a halt and bury us under even more debt. Yet the latest round of Republican politicians threatening to default on our debt…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for 5 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection.