On that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of adoption of the…

I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 228, noes 185, not voting 20, as follows: [Roll No. 168] AYES--228…

I would like to thank my colleagues, Ms. Chu from California and Mr. Connolly from Virginia. This amendment would require that the Government Accountability Office, which is independent, evaluate the true cost of potential spills from the…

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction around the globe and to introduce legislation aimed at modernizing the way the United States addresses this critical national…

Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Pennsylvania. This amendment would address the only program within the farm bill that hasn't been reformed: the Sugar Program. What we have now is a sweet deal for sugar growers and a bad deal for…

I am here today to speak to the importance of bringing much needed reform to the Federal Sugar Program. I understand that this is not something the Presiding Officer supports and that this is not something the Agriculture Committee…

It is my understanding that I have 10 minutes to speak. Will you confirm if that is correct? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. ____________________

Mr. President, I rise today in support of energy innovation, energy independence, national security, and local economies. The legislation I am introducing, the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013--known as the BTU Act--would give tax…

Madam President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Mississippi for his kind comments and also for his leadership on the Agriculture Committee as our ranking member. I wanted to express my appreciation. With that, I yield the floor…

I rise to speak on behalf of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, a 5-year farm bill. This bill saves more than $24 billion to help reduce our deficit and our debt, it streamlines farm programs to make them more efficient…

Madam President, I rise to speak on the farm bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.

Madam President, earlier today we were asked to give our consent to go to conference on the budget resolution. This is an important matter because we have now gone more than 4 years without a budget. This has been of great concern to many…

Mr. President, today, Senator Fischer and I, rise today to speak about the alarming crisis of sexual assault within our nation's military. Three particularly disturbing cases have arisen in recent weeks. First, an Air Force Lieutenant…

I thank the gentlelady for yielding. This is a completely bipartisan measure, and I hope that we have an overwhelming vote in support of it. The Freedom to Fish Act is a very responsible piece of legislation put forward in the Senate by my…

Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep gratitude and best wishes to Ms. Jane Holl Lute for her service as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, over the past 4 years. Ms. Lute arrived at DHS in April 2009…

Thank you, Ranking Member, for your leadership on efforts to strengthen the SEC and to beat back this legislation. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, I had the privilege yesterday of meeting the new SEC chairman, Mary Jo…

Mr. President, I am honored and privileged to stand here today and to say good words on behalf of Ernest Jay Moniz, also known as Dr. Moniz and Ernie Moniz. He is one of my favorite people from the world of academia. I have in my hand a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be vitiated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.