I look forward to hearing more about this suggestion from our witnesses today.

This is an important change, and, again, I want to hear more about that today as well.

I am a big fan of IGs. I think generally they do a super job.

I understand that. My commitment is to work with the Senator from New Jersey to try to solve this problem before any funding would change, and I don't think it is going to change. I would also note for my colleagues that last year we had…

I thank the Chair for the recognition, and I wish to recognize the good work my colleague, the Senator from New Jersey, has done on this issue. I have been in the Senate a little over 6 years and I was cajoled into allowing this to pass…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 610 to Amendment No. 602

I would like to say Senator Reid and I have had several discussions today and we are working to try to resolve an impasse we have, but we are not there yet. I wanted to be clear with my colleagues what my intent was, and if we can work the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2887, the House-passed FAA surface transportation reauthorization bill, that my amendment at the desk related to a 6-month surface transportation…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Unanimous Consent Requests--H.R. 2887

the bill we have before us today is a bill to fund emergency relief through FEMA for a lot of the emergency disasters our country has experienced over the past 6 months. I don't think there is a large disagreement that we ought to take…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2887, the House-passed FAA surface transportation reauthorization bill, that the Coburn amendment at the desk related to repealing the 10-percent…

I ask that amendment No. 610 be considered as pending, brought up, and read. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The assistant bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Oklahoma [Mr…

Financial management systems DOD has put in place to control and monitor the money flow do not facilitate but actually prevent DOD from collecting and reporting financial information that is accurate, reliable, and timely.

We have a distinct obligation under the Constitution to defend the country and I appreciate all of your service in that regard.

I would ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

We are not pouring asphalt, we are not laying concrete, we are not decreasing congestion, and we are not increasing safety. What we are doing is we are following the rules of Washington when we have greater needs. We are in trouble as a…

I would like to spend a few minutes discussing some things in general. In making a couple points today, I was referred to by one of our colleagues as a dictator. I am not offended at that; I understand the frustration of what is going on…

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in a consequence of appropriations made by law.

I will make the following points, and I would ask for order before I do that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Could we please have order so the Senator from Oklahoma can speak.

I must tell you that we are so fortunate that we have Director Kappos. We have a true expert in patents, with great knowledge, who has made tremendous strides in making great changes at our Patent Office. But he requires a steady stream of…

I thank the Senator for this. This is a minor technical correction. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Oklahoma [Mr. Coburn], for himself, Mr. DeMint, Mrs…

I thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. I noted earlier, before I came to the floor, he supported it in principle and we have a difference in principle about what would happen to the bill. This is a minimal technical correction…

It is true that the House bill moves the money to where it cannot be spent elsewhere, but there is no requirement that the money be spent in the Patent Office. There is a written agreement between an appropriations chairman and the Speaker…

I think I have reserved my time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma has reserved his time. He has 1\1/2\ minutes.

I wish to talk about an amendment, but also I had one of my colleagues who was sitting in your position as President pro tempore notice an error I made on July 27. Senator Whitehouse questioned my numbers and, in fact, he was right. I said…