Mr. President, in his State of the Union Address last January, President Obama announced what he called a year of action. Armed with pen and phone, he promised to take action where Congress wouldn't. At the time, I warned that these…

I ask unanimous consent I be allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes in opposition of the bill presently on the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I thank my dear friend and colleague, long-standing in the Senate and in the House before, and to thank the Senator for her intellectual and energetic leadership on all issues concerning the environment and the health of our people and the…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Leela Baggett, Vincent Brown, and Naomi Pitkin, interns with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of today's session. The…

Just 1 more minute to finish. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I oppose this legislation to approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Again, I believe it is one more step in the wrong direction, one more capitulation to our fossil fuel habit, one more accelerant to global warming that…

To get our good neighbors, the Canadians, to the north to start moving away from the development of the tar sands, both for their good and for the good of our planet. I don't want to keep digging the grave for our grandkids. I cannot vote…

Madam President, again, I thank the Senator for this clarifying question. Under this bill, State plans must include a certification that there are in effect in the State requirements that include the establishment of a grace period that…

Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will to meet on November 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Hearing on…

Madam President, I thank the Senator for her important question. Her understanding is correct. The definition of homeless children and youth found at 42 U.S.C. Sec. 11434A is the definition we intend to apply to homeless children and…

Mr. President, first, I ask unanimous consent that Mark Summerside, Marcha Chaudry, and Zack Decker, the interns with my office, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of today's session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it…

Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will to meet on November 20, 2014, at 1 p.m., in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Why Are Some…

Madam President, I want to speak in support of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, the bill that is before us. It has taken us a long time to get to this point. I cannot be more pleased that we are on the verge of…

I would like to recognize the outstanding career of a dedicated civil servant, Iowan Dr. Nancy Cox, who will retire in November 2014 after 37 years of distinguished Federal service at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

Mr. President, I will take about 3 minutes, and I would like to thank my friend from Pennsylvania for being a gentleman and letting me have a few minutes to express myself before he gives his own expression of support for this bill. First…

Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Alexander and myself, I do object to the unanimous consent request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

Mr. President, I intend to object to consideration of the nomination of Lourdes Castro Ramirez to be the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, for the Office of Public and Indian Housing. Over the…

Over 60 percent of people with disabilities who can work and want to work are not employed.