Mr. President, the government shutdown represents a failure to govern and must be brought to an end. Disabled veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country are waiting for their claims to be handled. Pregnant women and small…

Mr. President, on October 9, 1863, the Maine legislature signed a charter establishing the State's first public institution of higher education. I rise today to celebrate 150 years of remarkable accomplishments by the University of Maine…

I am afraid this will become the normal way we do things around here. Police, intelligence people, and military officers tell us they don't negotiate with hostage-takers, and the reason they don't is because they would empower, enable, and…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have 4 more minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

Madam President, my intention coming here was to help solve problems, to find common ground, to work together with colleagues from both sides of the aisle. That is my history, and, in fact, that was my primary motivation for running, for…

Mr. President, today marks the fifth day of the government shutdown. With each passing day, the consequences grow more severe, more people are affected, and the implications grow far more serious. Federal civilian employees working to…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill, which is nothing more than a political ploy. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle say a vote against this bill is a vote to block veterans…

Mr. President, I want to begin with a story about two young men, both 29, both married with a couple of kids, and both contracted cancer the same day--malignant melanoma, the kind of cancer that comes from a mole. Unfortunately, it is not…

Mr. President, today along with Senator Carper, I am introducing the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act. This bill would ensure that we have accurate information about the extent of mercury pollution in our Nation. A…

Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:41 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, September 18…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2013; that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the…

Madam President, I understand that there are four bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bills by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 336 and 337; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be considered made…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 335; that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the…

Madam President, in the 1930s there was a looming threat from Germany to the peace of Europe and to the existence of England. That threat was real, and there were multiple signs. There was data. But there were very few people who wanted to…

I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to proceed as in morning business for up to 25 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, the decision on whether to authorize the President of the United States to use the military might of our great Nation against another country is the most significant vote a Senator can cast. The Constitution vests this…

Mr. President, first, I wish to congratulate the bill's sponsors, Senators Shaheen and Portman, for crafting the underlying bipartisan, commonsense energy efficiency bill. I am proud to be a cosponsor of their legislation, and I am pleased…