I can tell you, politically, this is as much a negative as it is a positive. People are really upset, and I respect it. I understand it. By the other token, though, this is hurting America. This should be about helping the United States…

Today we reaffirm our commitment to working with the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and our partners and allies to protect and assist all those displaced as they work to rebuild their lives in peace and dignity.

Because I want to find out how often--if the certification is granted, are there surveillance audits on a regular basis?

How do you develop a process that actually works?

There is literally no standard, no guidance for what circumstances require a clearance. None.

Security clearances, we have clearances for individuals, but we also have them for contractors and for facilities, correct?

If we could apply these standardized type of processes across the government, I think we would be in a far better place.

How many man-hours does the first certification process take? How many man-hours are involved in a surveillance audit?

Mr. President, Senate Democrats have come to the floor now 13 times and requested unanimous consent to move to bipartisan budget negotiations with the House. We are ready to get to work. We have been ready for 88 days now, which is how…

The system needs modernizing and reforming.

Do you know how many students are currently on the waiting list in your State?

I think we have really put together something that recognizes the changes in the world and what we need to be doing to really help create the dynamic workforce that will create a strong economy in the future.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on June 19, 2013, at 10 a.m., in room SD-106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Heinrich). Without objection, it is so ordered. Unanimous Consent Request--H. Con. Res. 25

Let me respond this way: When I go home--and I go home every weekend--my constituents talk to me about this big word called sequestration and its impact on their lives. Whether they have been furloughed, and their paycheck is much smaller…

Madam President, I wish to thank the Senator from California for coming out today to let everyone know how extreme this bill is and how important it is that we send the message that this bill is going to be what most Republicans know deep…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 19, 2013, at…

I want to thank you, and Senator Alexander, and Senator Isakson for your really important work on the Workforce Investment Act.