I've come back to the floor, as I have almost weekly since this Congress, to talk about nuclear waste. It's kind of unique to follow my friend from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) because we are a nuclearized country; we do have nuclear weapons. A lot…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). Without objection, it is so ordered. Postal Reform

I announce that the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye), the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), and the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye), the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) are necessarily absent. I further announce that, if…

Leadership isn't easy. These are lessons that we learned all through history. We learned it from Abraham Lincoln when he had to face a union that was dissolving. I learned it in officer training as a pilot in the military. And I learned it…

I cannot support the H.R. 4970, the Republican bill that rolls back critical protections for domestic violence victims. Until now, reauthorization of the Violence against Women Act has involved a strong, bipartisan effort. In sharp…

I know there are folks who don't want to, in any way, have a pro-gay vote on it, but this is protecting human beings. It's the right thing to do. It should have been in this part of the bill. I suggest everyone vote ``no.''

I agree, it's not political, but the Senate had it right. Every year we reauthorize this, we expand who we're protecting. The scenery is moving behind us, as well. We need to make sure we take those people into consideration. Strive as you…

Since 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has strengthened communities and provided critical, lifesaving support to victims of violence. VAWA reauthorization must continue the fight to protect all victims and their families from the fear…

Madam President, I thank Senator Conrad. Let me say the retirement of Senator Conrad from North Dakota is a great loss to the Senate and to the Nation. We have only six or seven months left to do something significant. It will be easier to…

Mr. President, the comments made by the Republican Senate leader about the procedures in the Senate are comments I wish to speak to directly. First, perhaps to his surprise, let me say I agree with him. The Senate is not what it should be…

Mr. President, today, I would like to recognize what Abraham Lincoln referred to as ``the people's department''--the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On this day 150 years ago, President Lincoln signed legislation to create the U.S…

Mr. President, before I say a word about the Export- Import Bank, I wish to speak as in morning business. I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered…

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 I had obligations that necessitated my attention in Champaign, Illinois, in my district and missed suspension votes H.R. 365--National Blue Alert, H.R. 3874--Black Hills Cemetery Act, H.R. 205--HEARTH Act of 2011…

Mr. President, pending before the Senate is the nomination of Jay Tharp to serve on the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Senator Kirk and I have agreed on a bipartisan approach to this. We each have appointed…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. At the request of Mr. Durbin, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the…

I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Casey), the Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Hagan), and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Nelson) are necessarily absent.

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. 3081 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…