I rise today to pay tribute to 39 service members from California or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since December 7, 2010. This brings to 276 the number of service members either…

I have been listening very carefully to the remarks of my friend about what we have to do, what is in front of us. Of course, he is speaking for the Republican Party for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Let me say this: I…

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Lieutenant Vincent ``Vince'' Perez, and Firefighter and Paramedic Anthony ``Tony'' Valerio. Both of these heroes were long time veterans of the San Francisco Fire Department who were…

is it in order for me to ask some questions of the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee at this time? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the Senators may engage in a colloquy.

I want to say to my chairman, whom I sit next to on the Foreign Relations Committee, how much I admire his work in the arena of foreign policy, and everything he has given to become one of the most informed human beings on the planet in…

I have two more questions. If the President decides to change the mission and order the use of U.S. ground forces for reasons other than the circumstances previously mentioned, does the chairman agree that nothing in this resolution would…

I want to say thank you very much to Chairman John Kerry for his work on this. I also want to thank the others who helped work on it. I know other Senators did, in addition to Senator McCain. On our side, I know Senator Durbin, Senator…

I thank the Senator. I also wish to ask this: Although there is no authorization in this resolution for the use of ground forces in Libya, for which I am pleased, are there any circumstances where ground forces could be deployed?

It is my understanding that the authorization provided for under this resolution would expire 1 year after its enactment; is that correct?

we have spent many days talking about the importance of the bill before us which would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration. The EDA is a proven success. I think it is instructive that no one on the other side is speaking…

I say to my friend, given those two points, plus the ones my friend made, it seems untenable that the NRC, which is supposed to be an independent agency, would assert itself into a matter between the State of Vermont and a private company…

Building on that, isn't it true that the NRC--as we have learned by reading their founding documents--is an independent commission; isn't that a fact?

I am very pleased the Senator took to the floor to speak to the American people about what they are going through in his State. I am not as familiar with the condition of the nuclear powerplant, so I will not go there. I trust my friend's…

You bring a wealth of experience in both the private sector and the public sector to this very important job.

I think that our country is really better served when the people pay attention to the work we do.

the extraordinary qualifications that this nominee brings to the table.

If ever there was a time for someone who can bring us all together, this is that moment in history.

As Mr. Bryson has said and will say again today, his top priority is job creation.

I find myself quoting Richard Nixon quite a lot on the floor of the U.S. Senate these days, as there are moves to repeal this or that part of our landmark laws.

I hope you'll be treated with respect. I hope you'll get a swift confirmation.

I want to thank the Senator from Nevada, my friend, the majority leader, Senator Reid, for his remarks, And I want to thank him for filing cloture on the EDA bill. He said the Economic Development Administration was started by Richard…

today I wish to pay tribute to a wonderful member of our Senate family. After 20 years of public service, Gerry Counihan is retiring from his post as Senate elevator operator. In 1991, shortly after earning a degree from Franciscan…

It is a letter from an arm of the Chamber of Commerce. I will tell you, it is rare when you get the AFL-CIO and an arm of the Chamber of Commerce singing from the same book. They do not want to see filibusters. They want to see jobs. They…

If there is one lesson to be learned, and this is the lesson I think is the most important, we must plan for the unexpected.

I want to compliment my colleague. I so identify with his fighting for his State.