I thank the gentleman for his answer. My next concern is that USTR's report that Congress may not give sufficient attention to Russia's compliance with their manufacturing- related commitments. I know you and I share a deep commitment to…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Representative DeLauro of Connecticut and I introduced legislation to increase the specifics and the strength of U.S. enforcement efforts of Russia's WTO membership. As our experience with China has…

Mr. President, although we have different views on this issue, I would yield 1 minute to the Senator from Arizona. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to express my appreciation for Senator Lieberman's and Senator Collins' hard work…

Mr. President, first, let me thank the Senator from Texas for reserving some time for me while I was at a briefing and on my way to the floor. I will attempt to be very quick because I know our colleagues are eager to vote on this…

Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the distinguished public service of Robert Epplin, who served for nearly 20 years as staff in the Senate, and most recently for the past 3\1/2\ years as my legislative director. Rob's service in the…

Mr. President, the Postal Service's financial crisis continues to escalate. At the end of this month, the U.S. Postal Service will miss the deadline for the required $5.6 billion payment toward its future retiree health care obligations…

Mr. President, it is astounding to me that after putting the Nation through the self-inflicted travesty of last year's debt ceiling debacle that we are facing another manufactured crisis this year. With a fiscal cliff that never would have…

Mr. President, when I talk to employers in my State about what Washington could do to get people back to work, they inevitably point to the flood of excessive regulation as a major barrier. Many of us have offered proposals to reform the…

I'd like to thank my colleagues for the hard work and effort on this very important bill as well. Each year, as we assess the construction needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, we do so with the safety and health of our veterans in…

In closing, I would encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this particular piece of legislation, which is very important for our veterans. I would be remiss, though, if I didn't say that, like my colleague from New…

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that will boost America's small businesses and help them escape unnecessary regulations that are stifling creativity, growth, and job creation. This legislation will encourage small…

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the National Women's History Museum Commission Act of 2012, a bill that would create a commission to evaluate and plan into the establishment of a museum that would be dedicated to women's history in our…

Mr. President, I am delighted to commend the Solon Elementary School of Solon, ME, on being named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This prestigious recognition of high accomplishment was bestowed by Secretary of Education…

Mr. President, I am delighted to commend the Hope Elementary School of Hope, ME, on being named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This prestigious recognition of high accomplishment was bestowed by Secretary of Education…

Mr. President, earlier today I voted against invoking cloture on the motion to proceed to a 6-month spending bill, a stopgap measure, and I wish to explain to my colleagues and my constituents why I voted that way. I am deeply disappointed…

I want to thank the gentleman for his strong support for veterans over the years and look forward to continuing to work with him through the rest of this Congress. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and a strong supporter of this…

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an amendment I recently filed with Senator Leahy to the Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012. We filed this amendment to ensure that veterans service organizations are provided access to Federal surplus…

I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 223, noes 197, not voting 10, as follows: [Roll No. 554] AYES--223…