We now hope that American troops in Afghanistan will be able to withdraw from combat to an enabling role soon after the middle of next year; about 18 months earlier than planned.

Mr. President, the lifeblood of our democratic government is the contract between the people and their elected representatives--a contract that must be based on trust that elected officials will act for the good of our Nation and in the…

Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Lieberman, Rubio, Boxer, Durbin, McCain, Webb, and Mark Udall to submit a resolution expressing our deep concern about the current situation in Tibet and our steadfast support for the Tibetan…

Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in marking the 2-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United. I want to express my support for legislation to reverse the harmful impact of this decision and restore…

Mr. President, the State of my birth, the State I am honored to represent in the Senate, the great State of Michigan celebrates its 175th birthday today. This landmark occasion is cause to reflect on Michigan's contributions to the…

Mr. Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), a gentleman who has been very much involved in issues relating to this bill.

I thank the gentleman from Washington. It is my pleasure now to yield 3 minutes to another distinguished gentleman from the State of Washington and member of our committee, Mr. McDermott. (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to…

Mr. Speaker, as we wrap up, I look about and think of this institution. It sometimes can be quite impersonal. I think for all of us today, this is a very personal moment, and I think all of us join in saluting Gabby and Mark. I yield back…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise very much in support of the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012. It is crucially important in two respects: It is important in and of itself. It's clear we…

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I know that every Member in the House would like to associate himself or herself with the remarks of our distinguished majority leader and Democratic whip, especially with regard to Gabby, of course, but also Pia. It is…

Mr. Speaker, in appreciation, once again, for your courtesies enabling this to happen, I yield back the balance of my time. Announcement by the Speaker The SPEAKER. The Chair would remind all Members to be in proper business attire when…

I thank the leader. Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield to Gabby's friend, the distinguished minority whip of the House, the gentleman from Maryland, Congressman Hoyer.

Mr. Speaker, all of us come to the floor today, colleagues of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, to salute her as the brightest star among us, the brightest star Congress has ever seen. When she came to Congress and in her service and…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life, leadership, and legacy of our former colleague and a friend of many in this house, Congressman Ed Jenkins. My colleague, John Lewis, has brought many of us together on this floor or in…

I want to join my colleagues in remembering Ed Jenkins-- and Mr. Rangel, who served with him for all of Ed's service, as chairman, I will yield time to him after I say just a few words on behalf of Ed Jenkins. The Ways and Means Committee…

She has brought the word dignity to new heights by her courage.

As the founder of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, I rise again today to remind this body about the crisis of poverty in America, which really should prick the conscience of every Democrat and Republican. As we begin to consider…