today I wish to speak in support of the surface transportation conference report. As chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which is responsible for authorizing the public transportation portion of the bill…

Absolutely. Nothing in this bill changes the fact that decisions to use public or private service should be up to local providers. We firmly believe that the public versus private question should be decided on the basis of local needs, not…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Agriculture Reform

I rise today to talk about the critically important piece of legislation currently before the Senate, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act. But first I would like to thank Senators Stabenow and Roberts for the great work they have…

I rise today to mark the passing of a great public servant from South Dakota, Senator James Abdnor. Senator Abdnor is remembered across South Dakota as a man that never lost touch with the people who elected him. Throughout his life, no…

earlier today the Senate passed by Unanimous Consent S. 2101, the Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Acts of 2012 (ISHRA). The bill significantly increases pressure on Iran's leaders and I thank my colleagues for their…

I rise to discuss today's unanimous, bipartisan approval of the Senate Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act. With this action, we are adding additional tough, targeted sanctions against the Iranian Government, making it…

The bill the Senate adopted today passed the Banking Committee earlier this year by a unanimous bipartisan vote. Among its other provisions, this legislation will have important effects because it requires intensified targeting of Iran's…

today I wish to mark the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base. For the past seven decades, my home State of South Dakota has had the distinct honor of being home to Ellsworth Air Force Base. This weekend, I will gather in Rapid…

I urge all Senators to support final passage of the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act. Passing this bill today will make sure American exporters will not be put at a disadvantage to their foreign competitors, that nearly 300,000…

today I wish to recognize American agricultural producers on the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln signing legislation establishing the U.S. Department of Agriculture on May 15, 1862. As President Lincoln said in his last annual…

I rise in support of H.R. 2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012. I believe this jobs legislation will help provide U.S. exporters and workers with an important tool to compete in the global marketplace. The Export-Import…

This is the problem. This is a huge problem. It is one that is being ignored because we simply refuse to address it. This body refuses to pass a budget to lay out a plan to fix it; to stabilize one of our primary metrics, a key one--that…

I rise today to honor a true trailblazer, my colleague Senator Barbara Mikulski. Earlier this month, she crossed a major milestone by becoming the longest serving woman in Congress. Before she set her sights on Congress, Senator Mikulski…

I rise today to express my views on the bill that is before us--H.R. 3606--the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. This bill is a package of measures intended to increase capital formation a goal which I believe Democrats and Republicans…

I rise today to speak about an amendment I am cosponsoring with Senator Cantwell as well as Senator Graham and Senator Shelby to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. This amendment is important to thousands of workers in Senator Cantwell's…

I ask unanimous consent that Ingianni Acosta, an intern for the Banking Committee, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of today's session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I wish to note for the Record that I agree with Senator Levin on the need to address the problem of tax havens, and it is certainly true that the provision of the Bank Secrecy Act that he seeks to amend has been important in dealing with…

I ask unanimous consent that Michael Johnson from my office be granted the privilege of the floor during today's session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for up to 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized. Honoring Our Armed Forces Wisconsin Casualties

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2012, at 2:15 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Health…

I am pleased to present the Banking Committee's public transportation bill to the Senate as an amendment to the surface and transportation legislation now before us. The transit bill was reported by our committee unanimously. Maintaining…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 14, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on finance

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 14, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________