I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 3, 2011, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Empowering and Protecting…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 3, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Permanent Subcommittee…

It is so important that we are on the side here of people who are serving their country or who have served their country.

This can be a win-win situation for investors, small businesses, unemployed citizens, and our national economy.

I ask my colleagues to vote no on the amendment. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, the proponent's time is yielded back.

I rise on a more somber note. A longtime friend of mine, Victor F. Stewart, Jr., from O'Leary, OH, died this week at the age of 85. He was a counselor to me, he was a teacher, and he was a friend. He was someone who mentored me and so many…

I ask unanimous consent that the period for morning business be extended until 6:45 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

yesterday, in Cleveland--the largest metropolitan area and the second largest city in my State--I was part of, for want of a better term, a celebration of a public health victory for our country. I met on Halloween with Jeff Weidenhamer…

I rise in opposition to the Coburn amendment's 41 percent of a $1 billion cut to USDA's rural development mission. Everyone in this Chamber talks about job growth, as we should--some of us want to do some more specific things than others…

housing discrimination not only violates our laws, it is a barrier to economic mobility. This amendment would put FHIP funding on equal footing with the House legislation. It is about maintaining level funding so that fair housing…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Ohio. Amendment No. 771

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (Purpose: To increase amounts made available to carry out section 561 of the Housing and Community…

I rise to speak on amendment No. 874, my amendment on housing discrimination. My understanding is, when we assemble for a series of votes at 2 o'clock, this vote will be voice voted, and I particularly appreciate the work of Senator…

I call up amendment No. 874. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for himself and Mr. Sanders, proposes an amendment numbered 874, as modified, to amendment…

I ask unanimous consent that Peter Wisner, a detailee from the Treasury Department, be given the privilege of the floor during the consideration of H.R. 2112. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I would like to speak about two amendments, if I could. One is about basic civil rights and fair housing organizations and the other is about counseling and I would like to speak on both of them. Our Nation's fair housing organizations…

I would like to speak on a second amendment. Since a peak in 2006, housing prices, as we know in this country, have fallen by nearly one-third. Total homeowner equity slashed in half with the loss of more than $7 trillion. Some 6 million…

You have to start somewhere.

Yes, there is plenty of ideas we have all made in the Gang of Six, in the Simpson-Bowles. Everybody has made them, but quite frankly, there is no Republican or Democrat bill that is going to pass.

I rise to speak about the prescription drug abuse epidemic sweeping my State and the Nation. The rampant abuse and trafficking of prescription drugs represents a major threat to public health and to law enforcement. In recent years, more…

the number one thing that I hear not only from banks, as a result of passing the new fin reg bill, but individuals and businesses, is the lack of certainty and stability.

No, they just want to know what the game plan is. They want to know that they can walk in the door, get a sheet of paper, whether they are dealing with the FDA, the EPA. They want to understand what the process is.

The banks that qualified were able to use additional money to refinance their TARP debt and very little actually went out to Main Street.

I mean you have put off--you have extended the deadline. Clearly, it costs more to implement than we are ultimately going to get back. So why is not the President, or you through recommending to him--why do you not just get rid of it so we…

the number one thing that I find, yes, demand is a problem, but it is the lack of regulatory certainty intact for every business in Massachusetts.