Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize an important person who is critical to the functioning of the U.S. Senate and, more importantly, who has been an important part of the lives of many young Senate families for over…

Madam President, I came to the floor to speak on another topic, but I want to join in the comments of the Republican leader about Richard Shelby of Alabama. We became friends under different political circumstances when he served in the…

I announce that the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Kaine), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Manchin), the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray), the…

It is with great pride that I rise today and for the next few minutes, I would like to reflect on my 12 years serving in this body. I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve our Nation. While I was still in college, I was elected to…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the scheduled vote start immediately. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, at the outset, let me thank my colleague from Alaska for his service to the United States of America and the Marine Corps, and let me thank all the women and men who serve in the Marine Corps and all our branches of military…

Mr. President, I want to close by thanking the Senator from Alaska--a Republican, a Democrat but committed to the same values--for making sure that these marines and their families are treated fairly. We currently have 14,000 pending…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 5277 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 5274 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the resolution be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the resolution was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.J. Res. 67 Resolved by the Senate…

Madam President, stop me if you have heard this one before: Two atoms walk into a bar, they collide into one other at extreme speeds, under extreme heat, and they leave later that evening combined--as one, single element. The process I…

I also rise today to celebrate the service of one of my staffers on the VA committee. Mrs. Maria Tripplaar has been my staff director, counsel, and friend for the last 5 years as we have worked to deliver on the promises that we have made…

I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, one of the frustrations of local government is that good work tends to go unnoticed. If the streets are clean and the trains run on time, it can be easy to overlook the hours upon hours of work and collaboration that go into…

Mr. President, 10 years ago today, when I first heard the news, I couldn't believe it. Then, as I heard the details and learned of what had happened in Connecticut, I thought to myself, This is the moment. This shooting is so outrageous…

I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) is necessarily absent.

Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Dana Douglas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Born and raised in New Orleans, Judge Douglas' passion for the law and public service was inspired by her family's…

I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) are necessarily absent.