Madam President, the question before us is very clear: If you believe runaway and homeless youth should receive services that are federally funded without regard to their sexual orientation, you should vote yes on this amendment. The…

Mr. President, I am joined by my colleague Senator Ron Wyden in introducing the Trade Adjustment Assistance, TAA, Enhancement Act of 2015. This legislation would reauthorize trade adjustment assistance programs to help American workers who…

Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill that would prohibit the IRS from the targeting any U.S. citizens for exercising their constitutional rights under the First Amendment. The history of the IRS offers abundant examples of the Agency…

Mr. President, I join the senior Senator from Maine in congratulating Job Corps on 50 years of service to our country's youth. Across the Nation, Job Corps provides training and career skills to economically disadvantaged young adults…

Mr. President, I rise in support of this amendment and in support of the United States finally joining the civilized nations of the world in providing for family leave for our citizens. I know this amendment doesn't go as far as some would…

Mr. President, I rise to support this amendment. This simply simplifies the repayment options for students under the present student loan program, which is, frankly, very confusing--up to nine different programs with confusing names and…

Mr. President, I wish to speak in support of the Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act, which I have introduced with my colleague Senator Cantwell. Few issues are as important to the American people as the availability of good jobs in our…

Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator King in recognizing the Job Corps program on its 50th anniversary. Job Corps helps at-risk young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to engage in a colloquy with my colleague from Maine. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. JOB CORPS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment to call up my amendments Nos. 346, 425, 426, 427, 442, and 810 en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

Mr. President, there will be very little time later today when we start voting for there to be full explanations of any of these amendments, which I think is very unfortunate. I do want to let my colleagues know about some of these…

I am happy to withhold the request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii. Amendments Nos. 877 and 878 En Bloc

Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague and friend from Illinois for his comments. I happened to catch his speech yesterday. There was a sea of purple at our hearing--purple representing the Alzheimer's cause. I hope one day purple…

Mr. President, I offer this amendment on behalf of myself and Senator Hirono. Our amendment would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund to expand access to higher education for some of our neediest students through the Pell grant program…

Mr. President, I rise to urge my colleagues to support the Burr-King amendment No. 622, which creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund to reduce overlapping student loan repayment programs. The student repayment system is a mess right now…

Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague from Washington to introduce the Preserve Access to Rural Home Health Services Act of 2015 to extend the modest increase in payments for home health services in rural areas that otherwise will…

If I could respond through the Chair, Mr. President, I do have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Appropriations, and I have seen the restrictions we have put on funds over the years. One of those restrictions which is at issue…

Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator Heitkamp, I send an amendment to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment will be received.