Then how much time would the proponents have with Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman on the proponents' side? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The time is divided between the two sides, not between the proponents and opponents.

I wanted to clarify that there would be time for the opposition side. I did not know if Senator Collins is speaking for the majority side then or the minority side. I am trying to clarify to assure that the opposition is getting some equal…

I rise to express my disappointment that we are taking a vote that is very premature. Not that we have not been discussing this bill for over a year. I have certainly been one of the first to say that we should vote on a cyber security…

I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the two letters from which I read in my statement and an article from the Wall Street Journal this morning on this issue. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be…

Let me ask my colleagues, I have reserved the 5 minutes that I have for opponents. Is that going to change, Senator Lieberman? If not, I will give 2\1/2\ minutes each to Senator McCain and Senator Chambliss of my 5 minutes.

I will ask my colleagues, Senator McCain--I can give you 2\1/2\ minutes to you and Senator Chambliss. While they are going to their microphones, I want to say that they have been instrumental in trying to get a consensus bill. And they…

I would ask unanimous consent that the opponents have at least 10 minutes.

I wanted to get the time for our side and the time for the bill sponsor's side and clarify that the people on our side would have 15 minutes. Is that correct? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The time is divided between the two leaders or…

I wish to be notified when I have 5 minutes left, because Senator McCain is expected on the floor, and if Senator Chambliss or others come, I would like to have the time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will do so.

How much, then, would be left on the Republican side? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is 7 minutes left on the Republican side. The majority side has 15.

I strongly support states' rights, and I think they should have the power to decide for themselves if it is in their constituents' best interests to change their respective state laws to collect sales taxes from remote sellers.

In my state of Texas, which does not have an income tax, we rely heavily on revenue collected by sales taxes.