I think there definitely is a connection between setting certain standards and the spurring of developments that would help us meet those standards.

I see that EIA projects that nationwide the U.S. will only achieve 18 percent renewable energy by 2040 if we continue our current policies.

I thank the ranking member of the Budget Committee, the Senator from Vermont. Motion to Instruct Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending motion and call up my motion to instruct, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING…

I think it is important for us to recognize that North Korea remains the most immediate military threat, not to only our interests within the region, but really to the U.S. directly.

We need to provide a lot more of that kind of focused attention, face time, acknowledgement of the importance of those alliances.

It will be a long time before China is ready to be in something like TPP, but I think the Chinese leaders see momentum behind it.

I would say the countries we are dealing with in TPP--they would be much better off in the kind of system that we are promoting as opposed to dealing with a huge, powerful entity like China.

The Southeast Asian allies and likeminded partners are going to be key going into the future.

I would like to see the U.S.-Philippine relationship grow much, much stronger.

I did raise an objection to the change, although I appreciate the fact that the Senator made that change. I rise to oppose amendment No. 360 which would roll back critical antitrafficking and humanitarian protections for children from…

We voted for this law unanimously, signed by President Bush. I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment, as modified.

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll. The result was announced--yeas 58, nays 42, as…

I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up two of my amendments en bloc: Hirono amendments Nos. 877 and 878. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendments…

before I briefly outline my amendments, I need to say a few words about the budget before us. The vision outlined in the budget before us is truly a disaster for the middle class and our economy. This budget lays out priorities that would…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. The yeas and nays…

I ask unanimous consent that my amendment No. 1063 be modified with the changes at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment, as modified, is as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the…

All legally married, same-sex couples deserve equal treatment under the law, regardless of where they live. But right now, eligibility for spousal benefits provided under the Social Security Act and by the Department of Veterans Affairs is…

Eliminating this stigma is critical to giving servicemembers and deployed civilians the resolve they need to take advantage of the care they need to become whole again.