I ask unanimous consent that Michael Barrie Rhemann, an intern with the Senate Appropriations Committee, be accorded floor privileges during consideration of H.R. 2055. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

the amendment is not germane to the bill. I am trying to keep this bill bipartisan and free of extraneous matters. Therefore, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, I move to waive the point of order under section 303 of that act for H.R. 2055, and any amendments thereto and motions thereon.

I ask unanimous consent that all time be yielded back. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Cloture Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order and pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate…

Yes, that is correct. My understanding is that HUD has been working to determine the impact of a change in how interest is accrued on FHA loans and the Department is committed to working with the junior Senator from Maryland on this issue…

I rise today to discuss two amendments to the underlying bill: amendment No. 411 offered by Senator McCain and amendment No. 476 offered by Senators Feinstein and Coburn. I oppose these amendments. Abruptly pulling support for ethanol, as…

today I join Senator Shelby and other senior Senators to introduce the Libyan Assets for Humanitarian Relief Act of 2011, designed to explicitly authorize the President to confiscate and distribute some of the assets of Muammar Qaddafi's…

today I join with my colleague and friend from Iowa, Chuck Grassley, in introducing the Rural America Preservation Act of 2011, which will provide for common- sense, meaningful farm program payment limitations. Particularly given our…

I want to express my support for the amendment by Senator Tester. Last year when Congress passed the debit interchange fee provision, I opposed the measure. I was not convinced that the provision would work for small banks and credit…

suspicious activity reports, or SARs, are just what they seem--reports by banks and other financial institutions when they come across obviously suspicious activity by one of their customers. They have been, and continue to be, valuable…

We thank the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Finance, and agree that this unanimous consent agreement is designed only to apply to this nomination, and not to future nominees for this position.

as we pass the 1-year anniversary since health care reform was signed into law, I rise to recognize how much it has benefitted thousands in my State. South Dakotans now have a fair shake when it comes to buying health coverage and…

I rise today to reintroduce legislation with my friend, Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, that will exempt Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, VMLRP, awards from federal income taxation. I drafted this bipartisan bill with the intention…

I rise today in advance of the Third Annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxIMPACT Day to recognize pharmacy contributions to the American health care system. Over the course of the next 2 days, over 300 members of the pharmacy…

Today I submitted a resolution with my friend, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, to recognize and celebrate the importance of cooperatives to our economy, and our rural communities in particular. In 2009, the United Nations General…

Today I recognize Youth Art Month and congratulate Samantha Kenaston of Mitchell, SD, on designing the winning State entry for the national student flag design program. Each March, the Council for Art Education sponsors National Youth Art…

I rise today to again recognize Saturday, November 20 as National Survivors of Suicide Day. In 1999, a Senate resolution created this annual event through the efforts of Senator Harry Reid who lost his father to suicide. This year, on…

I rise today in recognition of November as American Diabetes Month. National studies estimate 23.6 million Americans have diabetes and a quarter of people with diabetes do not know they have this disease. The State of South Dakota is home…

Today I introduce legislation that will enable livestock producers who have been affected by excessive precipitation to have access to emergency feed stocks. The rain producers faced last fall, coupled with the abnormal snowfall this…

I rise today to recognize an important milestone in the effort of delivering meaningful health reform for all Americans. Six months ago, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, and the first major…

today i pay tribute to Clarence Wolf Guts who passed away on June 16, 2010, at the South Dakota State Veterans Home at the age of 86. Clarence was the last surviving Lakota Code Talker. Code talkers played a crucial role in World War II in…

I rise today to recognize the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990, marked a historic affirmation of the principles of equality and inclusion upon…

I rise today to introduce legislation with my friend, Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, that will exempt Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, VMLRP, awards from Federal income taxation. I drafted this bipartisan bill with the intention…

Congress is now on the brink of passing a landmark deal on legislation to reform Wall Street and prevent another financial crisis like the one we faced nearly 2 years ago. This legislation is an important and long overdue measure that will…

on Monday, we lost a colleague and dear friend with the passing of Senator Robert C. Byrd. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends, dedicated staff, and the people of West Virginia. Senator Byrd was truly a giant among…