Mr. President, the middle class is the backbone of our Nation. Middle-class families sustain our neighborhoods and our economy and support our public services such as our schools and police and fire departments and libraries. Over the last…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader be authorized to sign any duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions today, April 15, or tomorrow, April 16, 2010. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, today, Senator Reid filed cloture on several executive nominations. At 5:30 Monday, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Brainard nomination. ____________________

I appreciate the work Senator Warner is doing, along with Senator Hagan and Senator Udall. I came to the Senate 3\1/2\ years ago. I am personally not a lawyer, and I have, obviously, never sat as a judge, but I understand the custom here…

Mr. President, I rise as a result of the resolution offered earlier today commemorating the tragic deaths of so many Polish leaders, especially the death of Tomasz Merta, who is the Minister of Culture in Poland. I worked with Tomasz Merta…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for no more than 5 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

How do we change from quantity to quality to get the value for our dollars?

I am a firm believer in contracts and dates. As it is the rule of law, we have a date.

Does it make sense to have a national police force that basically the tribal leaders do not recognize, they do not know.

I am flabbergasted sometimes at the slow pace of government at a time when we need quick reaction and quick action.

I will stay as long as you have me, Madam Chairman. Thank you.

We all know about the $6 billion that has been spent and fewer than 12 percent of the country's police are capable of operating on their own.