Senator Flake saying that there are ideas up here on Capitol Hill percolating that give him confidence that a shutdown can be avoided.

Mr. President, near the beginning of the document that made us free, our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident.'' So from our very beginnings, our freedom has been predicated on…

Mr. President, I appreciate this colloquy. I appreciate my colleagues who have been through a lot on this proposal. Many of us have worked in prior years on immigration reform measures, and I think we have built up a level of trust between…

It is nice to have Senator Smith on the Subcommittee.

The words used by the president as related to me directly following the meeting by those in attendance were not tough. They were abhorrent and repulsive.

Mr. President, over the past couple of months, we have seen a lot of effort with regard to immigration reform and in particular to address the situation of the so-called DACA kids, the Dreamers who were brought here through no fault of…

Madam President, I rise today to honor the selfless and dedicated life of Thomas S. Monson, the 16th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After nearly seven decades of church leadership and service, President…

The hearing record will stay open for another day.

I do not know how in the world we can move forward with additional nominations or confirmations until that is done and completed and we have a recommendation.

That is correct.

I think it is a--well past time for this assessment to be completed.