I ask unanimous consent that the period for morning business be extended until 3 p.m. today and that all provisions of the previous order remain in effect. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I come to the floor to talk about the debt crisis facing this country and the opportunity we have to address this issue in a way that balances the budget and ensures the long-term fiscal solvency for future generations. The recent fiscal…

we are at the last hour, if you will, the last day for sure, in dealing with what has become probably the biggest fiscal crisis our country has dealt with in some time. I have heard a number of my colleagues from the other side come down…

I come to the floor today to talk about the debt crisis facing this country and why I believe any deal to avert the fiscal cliff must address serious entitlement reform. We should not let the discussion around taxes, which is sort of…

I want to congratulate you on your distinguished service in the U.S. Senate, and also for your great work over the years on energy issues.

I agree with the assumption that has been made that comprehensive tax reform is going to be the opportunity to seriously examine how the Federal Government conducts energy policy through the tax code.

I rise today in strong support of the legislation before us to enact permanent normal trade relations with respect to Russia and Moldova. This legislation will also put in place a new mechanism for combating human rights abuses and…

We look forward to working with the president when he decides to get serious.

I am working with the managers of the bill to try to address concerns they might have on an amendment I have filed at the desk and hope to get accepted. But I wish to speak to it now, if I might. Essentially, the amendment is just a sense…

I want to echo the words of my colleague from Wyoming with regard to the whole issue of the Senate rules. I come from the House of Representatives. I came to the Senate having first served in the House of Representatives, three terms…

I would like to thank my colleague from Oregon, Mr. Merkley, for working with the Senator from Missouri, Mrs. McCaskill, and me today to address his concerns with our bipartisan bill, S. 1956, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme…

there is no question that the premier issue for most Americans is jobs and the economy. It is the issue that is on the minds of all Americans. They are pocketbook issues that impact middle-class Americans all across the country. For the…

today I wish to recognize Paige McPherson of Sturgis, SD, who earned a bronze medal in Taekwondo at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, this summer. Despite facing the popular British world champion in the first round of competition…

Additionally, at a recent Commerce Committee hearing on my bill, Secretary LaHood was asked if any possible action of implementation could ``include the U.S. government paying EU authorities directly or compensating the operators for any…

That is correct, it has always been my intent, and it is shared by the Congressional Budget Office, and the Secretary of Transportation, who will have the primary responsibility of implementing this legislation. According to the CBO…

the Senate is sort of wrapping up its business, if you will, until after the election. It is ironic, in a way, that there are so many big issues in front of us as a nation--so many challenges--yet we are talking about things I am sure are…

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

There have been countless national, local and private programs aimed at improving STEM education, but there continues to be little discernible change in either student achievement or student interest in STEM.

I will really miss our Ranking Member, Senator Hutchison.

There was a report out yesterday that I was proud to see. It came out of Bloomberg News, that recent graduates from a South Dakota engineering college, the South Dakota School of Minds and Technology, are earning more than recent graduates…

If the Senator from Alabama will yield on that, I think it is important again to point out this could be avoided. Actually, the House of Representatives passed a budget trying to avoid it. They addressed this in their budget. They…

On that point, it looks as if what they are doing is running out the clock, doesn't it? They have a requirement by September 6--last week--to produce at least their proposal. It is by law. We passed it. He signed it into law back in…

Right, and it passed months ago. We all talk about the jobs impact, the Warren Act notices that are going to go out, and all the uncertainty created by not knowing what the impact of this is going to be, but the House of Representatives…

I ask unanimous consent to enter into a colloquy with my colleagues from Arizona, Alabama and New Hampshire. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. SEQUESTRATION

all week my Democratic colleagues in the Senate have been coming to the floor and using scare tactics and demagoguery on the so-called Ryan budget. Of course, what they are referring to is the budget that was passed by the House of…