So today is the 34th day of the longest government shutdown in history. It is a shutdown that has no excuse, and it has taken a great toll on dedicated public servants and their families across America. Americans who have jobs are actually…

I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts for sharing those stories, which we are hearing throughout New England, and are so challenging and meaningful to all of us. We have heard tonight from all regions of the country: north, south…

I thank the gentlewoman so much for sharing that and for hosting a roundtable in her district. Madam Speaker, I think every time we have a chance to have people gather to talk about this, at least they know we are listening to them, even…

I am pleased we are able to be here tonight to have an hour with some of my colleagues to continue this conversation about the hardships people are facing due to this shutdown and the impact it is having on our country. We have had so many…

I thank the gentleman from Florida for reminding us of some important compromises. Some I liked, some I didn't. But were it not for the Missouri Compromise, we wouldn't have Maine, so I am glad about that one anyway. Also, as you said, we…

Madam President, government shutdowns, regardless of which party controls Congress or the White House, are always harmful to Federal employees and their families, who struggle to pay their bills without paychecks, to Americans who need…

Mr. President, today, along with my colleague Senator Carper, I am introducing the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act. This bill would ensure that we have accurate, detailed information about the extent of mercury pollution in…

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, this shutdown has been brutal on working people across the country. Many of them are my constituents, and I came down here to let their voices be heard. Back home, a Border…

Mr. President, government shutdowns are never the answer. No matter how difficult the problem, we should never resort to shutting down government. It harms too many innocent Federal employees--in this case, 800,000 Federal employees and…

Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska. ____________________

I can't leave the floor without complimenting the Senator from Alaska for her usual thoughtful analysis and constructive approach to dealing with this issue. I am proud to serve with the Senator on the Energy and Natural Resources…

Would the Senator yield for just a short comment? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine is recognized.

Mr. President, I first want to make a single declarative sentence: There is no one in this body who is for open borders. One of the most troublesome aspects of this debate that has been framed, particularly by this administration, is that…

I thank our future chair for yielding me the time. I appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, I consider it a privilege to sit on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, where we fund agencies and departments that are important…

I thank Mr. Bishop of Georgia, our future chair, for yielding me the time. I rise in support of H.R. 265, the fiscal year 2019 Agriculture appropriations bill. There is no reason we cannot pass these individual appropriations bills that…

Today I rise in support of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, a commonsense bill to mandate background checks before the sale of a firearm. During my first term in Congress, I served with my friend and former…

Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the city of Auburn, ME. Auburn was built with a spirit of determination and resiliency that still guides the community today, and this is a time to celebrate the…

My only final comment is to suggest a friendly amendment as to how to allocate these funds. I suggest alphabetically, and the fact that Acadia is in Maine is a mere coincidence. Seriously, I think my two colleagues have made the case…