I have decided to not yield my right to the floor. I was amenable to a colloquy. The majority leader is giving a speech. Given that, as I understand, the majority leader is not going to consent to extend the time, I have 24 minutes, I am…

With the reservation that I do not lose the right to the floor, I am pleased to engage in a colloquy with the majority leader.

I will answer that question. Since I have not yielded the floor, I would like to make a broader point after that and have a colloquy. I will point out why, which is that we are operating under some time constraints. So I want to do what…

I appreciate the Senator's question, but I will answer the Senator's question when the Senator first answers the three questions I asked him, none of which the Senator has chosen to answer, namely: Have you read Mr. Hoffa's letter? Do you…

Let me make my third point, and then I am happy to yield at that point for a question. The third point is twice I have read in the course of this debate the letter from Mr. Hoffa, the head of the Teamsters. I assume the Senator from…

I thank the Senator from Illinois for that question, and I would respond threefold. No. 1, for Judy, as the Senator describes her circumstances, I would certainly support health care reform that increases competition and increases free…

Let me briefly clarify, I asked nothing in exchange for that. None of those were contingent on each other. Those were three independent unanimous consent requests--which the majority leader wanted consent to any of those. It wasn't an…

So I make that note. If the majority would care to ask a question, I would be amenable to yielding for a question. If the majority leader would not, that is certainly his prerogative, and I am happy to continue talking about the issues…

I want to clarify. I have the floor. I have not yielded the floor to anyone. Neither the majority leader nor any other Member has the right of recognition right now. If the majority leader wishes, he may ask me to yield for a question. I…

I thank the Senator from Louisiana for that very good question. I thank him also for his support of this effort, his vocal support, his support from day one. I thank him for appearing with us last night, appearing with us today, standing…

I thank the Senator from Oklahoma for that excellent question, and I will make several points in response; first, is hearing that story of your wife and her courage. It reminds me, I will confess, I knew there were many reasons why the…

I am happy to tell the Senator. I am eligible for it. I am not currently covered under it. Let me note that the Senator from Illinois embraced the analogy and said: Yes, we in Congress have first-class health care. Under his analogy, he…