I think we all have to be much more creative, and I think you have to be much more demanding in terms of those types of performance ends you expect.

From your perspective, the Government of Iraq was not prepared to give appropriate immunities to American forces?

There are many who would look at the performance of Fannie and Freddie and say that, frankly, they have not done a very good job in those areas that you have pointed out--loss mitigation, getting people into modifications.

This notion of who can bestow immunity rests on the SOFA which the Bush administration negotiated and signed.

The overall health of the housing market, its sort of stabilizing and then beginning to slowly appreciate, is ultimately what will make the balance sheets of Fannie and Freddie look much, much, much, much better.

So that there is no legal ability for the Department of Treasury to veto your decision.

To take all those off the table and just sit pat I think is not the way to minimize losses going forward

I presume for the record that we are prepared to entertain any of these serious discussions at any time with Prime Minister Maliki and his cabinet.

I rise in strong opposition to the proposal by Senator Paul to preempt the implementation of the cross-state air pollution rule. We recognize throughout this country our extraordinary employment challenges--in Rhode Island particularly but…

I appreciate very much the Senator yielding, but I think the custom is that we are going back and forth, if the Senator from California would like to finish her statement.

I think if the Senator from California wishes to finish her statement and then recognize Senator Coats, that would be appropriate. That is the procedure. I think it is appropriate to alternate back and forth.

I ask unanimous consent to return to morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in morning business.

But they are Federal funds that we provide in anticipation of units being federalized to perform Federal missions that fall clearly--and I don't think you dispute this--within the chain of command of the Service Chiefs and, ultimately…

I rise specifically to speak in strong support of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. This legislation incorporates key components of the American Jobs Act and other bipartisan proposals designed to help veterans find jobs, including the…

Right. But as I understand this whole procedure is to give you access to talk about those State missions, which you effectively don't have any control of because you can't force them to change their budgets.

let me also commend Senator Enzi and Senator Durbin and Senator Alexander because I too am a cosponsor of this legislation, and I think it does represent a remarkably thoughtful and bipartisan approach to the problem of providing resources…

So would you be adverse to eliminating the gubernatorial recommendation, since this statute would create a position on the JCS?

So looking ahead, effectively, some Governor is going to have to be either the nominator or vetoer of a member of the JCS.

But as the law goes, the Governor will essentially recommend the National Guard Bureau Chief, who will, if this statute passed, be by law a member of the JCS.

I rise to pay tribute to John Hardiman, public defender for the State of Rhode Island, who passed away several days ago. John was, frankly, the finest public servant I have ever seen in my entire career, as a soldier, as an elected…

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for taking the leadership role and putting this hour together, and joining my fellow freshman Members on the floor of the House to talk about the number one issue of the day, and that is our economy…

today I am introducing the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2011 to ensure that millions of unemployed Americans will not lose desperately needed unemployment benefits and to provide relief to states and employers that…

I rise in support of the Rebuild America Jobs Act because it responds to two critical needs: the jobs crisis we face throughout this country and the need to improve our national infrastructure, which is obvious to everyone, in every part…

I think one of the most satisfying aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act for me was working with Senator Brown to create the Office of Servicemembers Affairs.

I want to commend, Mr. Pollack, Pentagon Federal for adopting a Pew disclosure form. That should be the standard for financial institutions throughout the country.