I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks against the U.S. mission in Benghazi are brought to justice.

I am pleased to nominate Deborah K. Jones to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Libya.

As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than 2,000 years.

His selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world.

If I might respond to the Senator, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2013 provides $604.9 billion, including $87.2 billion for overseas contingency operations. That is a reduction from the 2012 level of $633.2 billion. There…

Mr. President, if I might engage further in this dialogue, I see the Chair is seeking recognition. But there are Senators on both sides who have amendments ready to go. They have ideas they wish to present to the Senate for consideration…

Mr. President, let me thank the Senators from Maryland and Alabama for their leadership on this bill. I might say to my friend, the Senator from Arizona, that I have a new assignment in the Appropriations Committee following the departure…

Mr. President, this is a historic week because we will see congressional presentations of the congressional budgets, and I believe we will see stark contrasts. Congressman Ryan of Wisconsin--nearby my home State of Illinois--is going to…

Mr. President, I understand that the Democrats have the first half of morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is correct. ____________________

Madam President, I rise with sadness today to pay my respects and pay tribute to a dedicated public servant and a close friend whom I have known for decades. For 12 years, when Illinoisans walked into Senator Alan Dixon's office--and then…

This is a very important topic of discussion.

CISPA stands alone in failing to follow this common wisdom.

We don't have an immediate crisis in terms of debt. In fact, for the next 10 years it is going to be in a sustainable place.

I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security, and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith.

my administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in government.

Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy.

No one else has a tax in this sector in the world on gross.

If we want to fix parts of the bill, the medical device tax would be one way that we could fix it to create jobs.