If I were able to attend today, I would provide my full support for Ambassador Symington's nomination.

Madam President, today I join my colleagues in support of the North Korean Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act. I commend Senator Gardner for his leadership, as well as Senator Menendez, Chairman Corker, and Ranking Member Cardin for…

We treat addiction after it is there, good luck.

I know in this case that the commitment from the VA is there to get this on the forefront.

I think it is probably happening. But there is a disconnect between that, the private sector pain management experts.

Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, I associate myself with the remarks of the positive nature of the provisions in this bill. It has been the House Veterans' Affairs Committee that has been in the forefront of improving veterans care, from…

Our concern has been, my concern has been, as we go into implementation, that there may be misinterpretations.

There was bipartisan agreement that we wanted to have a devolution of power from the Federal Government back to States and local governments.

It is possible that some States will end up with No Child Left Behind light. I certainly hope that doesn't happen.

We're very excited and interested to follow the implementation of ESSA. As all of you know, it was years in the making.

Nor--excuse me--nor did you feel compelled to make them Common Core.

Mr. President, I rise today for the fifth time to ask unanimous consent for a vote for the Ambassadors to Norway and Sweden. Senator Cruz has been objecting to this. I appreciate the bipartisan support for these nominees. They made it…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination that is to the country of Sweden: Azita Raji, Calendar No. 148; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening…

Mr. President, as I said, this has been a bipartisan effort to get these two nominees confirmed. There is no one holding up the vote on these nominations except for Senator Cruz. We asked him to remove these holds. He has not voiced any…

Madam President, I see the Senator from New Hampshire is here. She is a leader on the Foreign Relations Committee. I know she has a few things to say. But, again, we are simply asking for a vote. Senator Cruz can choose to be here or not…

Madam President, this is the fourth time I have come to the floor urging Senator Cruz to remove his hold on these very important nominees for two of our best allies, the countries of Sweden and Norway. Norway has been without a confirmed…

Madam President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: the nomination of Azita Raji to be Ambassador to the country of Sweden, Calendar No. 148; that the Senate…

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the widespread and harmful impact of forced arbitration--mandatory arbitration. Last November, the New York Times published a three-part investigative series, which I recommend to every Member, on the…