I rise today to address my colleagues for the last time. After nearly a year in this Chamber, I am both its newest Member and the next to depart. As such, I have both the optimism of a young student and the battle scars of a man in the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I have 6 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following…

today I wish to pay tribute to an Alabamian who has spent more than two decades in public service, Peggi Hanrahan. Many people in Washington, DC, know Peggi as the executive assistant and gatekeeper to the former Alabama Senator, Jeff…

pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the waiver provisions of applicable budget resolutions, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and applicable budget resolutions for purposes of amendment No…

Thank you. Amendment No. 389 Mr. President, I rise today in support of an amendment that will relieve millions of Americans of a moral conflict. For too many, access to healthcare coverage comes only with the restriction of deeply held…

I rise today in defense of those who cannot defend themselves. After 8 years of policies that have undermined the sanctity of life, we have an opportunity today to extend the protections of the Hyde amendment wider than ever before. After…

It is vital that our veterans can count on high-quality services and care, and the first step in restoring that accountability is ensuring that the VA is equipped with talented professionals ready to meet their needs.

There are a lot of issues that divide us these days, but taking care of those who have served must continue to be a unifying cause.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moran). Without objection, it is so ordered. Under the previous order, all postcloture time is expired. The question is, Will the Senate…

It is critical that the VA facilities stand ready to meet the needs of that population.

Veterans should never be subjected to subpar care because politics got in the way of public service.

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. The result was announced--yeas…

In my view, if we truly want to grow our Navy fleet, which I strongly support, to the 350 to 355, we have got to expand the LCS frigate program rather than cut it back at this time.

the Air Force should be commended for fostering competition in the EELV program.

what happens in the Indo-Asia-Pacific matters to America, and the region needs a strong America just as America needs the region.

I want a more lethal 'up-gunned' version of the LCS... to increasingly distribute our lethality across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Have you been read into that agreement? Could you please explain to the committee why Congress has been blocked from understanding the terms of this secret agreement?

if you truly want to grow the Navy and respond to serious emergency global threats, why would the Navy not expand the LCS/Frigate program rather than cut it way back at this time?

Mental illness is a tremendous concern, and I applaud President Obama for focusing on the mental illness issue.

I am honored to accept your invitation to speak about an issue of importance to all Americans, reducing gun violence while ensuring that the fundamental right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms is not infringed.

Further limiting the ability of responsible citizens to buy a gun will not keep criminals from getting one.

Our Second Amendment rights can be protected at the same time we keep Americans safe.

The problem with the EPA plan is, those issues now become secondary to carbon reduction.