In that letter, he said: ``You are entitled to your own opinions but I ask that, moving forward, you do not confuse my father's position with your own.'' He said: ``I appreciate the past respect you have expressed for his legacy, but…

What are these bills? These are bills that called for equity for women to get contraceptive coverage. If they were given other coverage, they had the right to get contraceptive coverage. Ted Kennedy was a leader. He is a cosponsor on all…

Mr. President, I am on the floor here today, as I was earlier, to talk about the dangers of this Blunt amendment. Senator Blunt says it has nothing to do with providing health care to women; it has nothing to do with that. It is just about…

I am so proud of this letter we wrote together. In the letter, we said: The most important thing is to nominate an exceptionally well-qualified, intelligent person to replace Justice Souter. . . . Women make up more than half of our…

As the senior Senator from New York relinquishes the chair to his colleague from New York, I want to thank both of them for their amazing leadership in every issue we turn to today. Senator Schumer's work to help us bring this…

I remember him being so proud of the prevention piece he brought to us. He made the case to us publicly, and privately in caucus, that it would save so much money for the American people. Right now, we know, for example--and I just read…

It is irresponsible to wait up to 24 hours to instruct passengers on safety procedures in case of an emergency.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Dental Crisis in America: The Need to Expand…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 29, 2012, at 11 a.m., to hold a briefing entitled, ``Update on the Crisis in Syria.'' The…

Madam President, this is a panel of men who were called by House Republican Chairman Issa to testify about women's health--not one woman there, but they were the experts. They denied this woman the chance to speak. If she had been allowed…

Madam President, the first letter is from the Cancer Action Network asking us to vote no on the Blunt amendment. On behalf of millions of cancer patients, survivors and their families, we write to express our opposition to the amendment…

I believe this to be an important policy and have written to the Coast Guard asking that they change the current regulation for a muster within 24 hours of embarkation, to before a ship departs.

I want to congratulate the Cruise Line Industry of America and its members for instituting a new policy that requires a muster drill for all passengers before departure.

Mr. President, could the Presiding Officer tell me what the pending business is? Are we on the Transportation bill at this time? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority has 4 minutes in morning business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session on February 29, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled…

All right. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I thank my friend. When I looked at him, I thought, He is one of the few people who have such a personal stake in two issues that have been merged together, unfortunately: the Blunt amendment, which would allow anyone to opt out from…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session on February 29, 2012. The Committee will meet in room 418 of the Senate Russell Office Building beginning at 10 a.m…