A strong agriculture sector is key to strong rural communities, supporting 9.2 percent of jobs in the economy.

Eighty-five percent of the Nation's poorest counties are rural, and per capita income in rural America lags behind that in urban areas.

Our hope is that we get this done in 2014 so that we essentially can factor it into the budget.

We hope to be able to allow folks to make application for assistance by April 15.

We have significant safeguards built into all of our systems at USDA to make sure that individual identities are protected.

we want to encourage producers to do what they need to do for their operations.

Study after study shows that teacher quality is the decisive in-school factor in boosting student achievement.

The Higher Education Act plays a critical role in teacher training by providing funding to institutions of higher education.

as Senator Harkin suggested, data that can help programs improve and do a better job at preparing teachers.

In order to achieve greater equity in our schools, we must ensure that every student has access to highly effective teachers.

Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet on March 25, 2014, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Teacher…

Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet on March 27, 2014, at 10 a.m. in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Strengthening the…

Madam President, I would like to join my colleagues and thank everyone for getting this bill done. This is a good bill. First, I would again say thanks to both Senator Burr and Senator Mikulski. This is really their bill. They spent the…

Madam President, the amendment has the admirable goal of prioritizing funds to low-income families who have children with disabilities. I applaud Senator Vitter's efforts and hope this provides significant reinforcement of what has been…

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Section 8(B)

Madam President, for the information of Senators, we are now down to two voice votes on two pending amendments that have been cleared. We will then have a rollcall vote on final passage. I am hopeful that is going to happen within a very…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendments Nos. 2847 and 2846

Madam President, we have no further debate on the two pending amendments--Portman No. 2847 and Sanders No. 2846--and the substitute. I know of--Madam President, I was misinformed. I thought those amendments had already been called up…