Congress has to set priorities. If an agreement is negotiated and we do not have TPA, there will be 535 priorities.

If they do not bring women into the work force, it is going to be impossible for them to grow and thrive as a country going forward.

The TPP makes that possible. It will also help Japan economically and in terms of security.

We are working very closely with Vietnam and other regional partners in order to complete the TPP negotiations as quickly as possible.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

Mr. President, am I correct we are in postcloture time now? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Navy…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 4 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Mr. President, I take this time to talk about the budget agreement that was negotiated by Senator Murray and Congressman Ryan and the work they did, but I first wish to relate to my colleagues conversations I had with numerous Marylanders…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 17, 2013, at 2 p.m., to hold a African Affairs subcommittee hearing entitled…

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan budget agreement. I congratulate our colleagues, especially Budget Committee chairwoman Murray for her outstanding leadership in forging this…

Mr. President, I rise to speak in morning business for approximately 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized. ____________________

Until recently, the wetlands at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in my home State, and wetlands in the home State of the Ranking Member, were threatened by nutria.