The Surgeon General of the United States is a person of public trust in this country who has a long and eminent record of informing the Nation and fighting on behalf of the public health of Americans. He has addressed some of the Nation's…

I am very pleased to be here today to speak on behalf of President Obama's eminently qualified nominee to be Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. I request that I be permitted to yield to my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Murphy, at the…

I am honored and proud to follow the majority leader, and I thank him for his remarks. I will make my remarks in support of my request for unanimous consent. If there is an objection, in deference to the Senator from Oklahoma, I will…

I wish to respond to the Senator from Oklahoma by, first of all, expressing my deep respect and appreciation for the work he has done to hold accountable the Veterans' Administration and many other agencies of our U.S. Government. In fact…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Hours of Service Regulations

at this time of year, Thanksgiving and the holidays that are upcoming, a lot of Americans are on our roads. A lot of us know that Americans are on the roads because my colleagues and I travel using the highways of our States so frequently…

I wish to inform my colleagues, although the hour is late, that the Clay Hunt bill, H.R. 5059, has been cleared on the Democratic side and I hope we will have unanimous consent to move it tomorrow in the session that we have on Friday…

on December 14, 2012, we saw evil, but we also saw good. We saw tragedy, but we also saw actions that should continue to inspire us. The evil was in a deranged young man who committed unspeakable and unimaginable horrific acts, but the…

Well, thank you, Senator Blunt, for your partnership and your leadership both here and in the great State of Missouri and throughout the Midwest.

The Amtrak family has certainly benefited from your leadership, but far more importantly our millions of riders have benefited.

Passenger rail reauthorization is an opportunity to make a much needed investments in a critical segment of our transportation system.

I have proposed a rail trust fund.

So, far from driving down wages or working conditions, you would agree, would you not, that it will actually enhance opportunities for average Americans and ordinary working people?

I have to tell you your remarks about the high and growing ridership in the Northeast Corridor is certainly substantiated by my own experience.

It is vital to economic growth and job creation.

the need for capital investment is clear to everyone.

I respect the President's Executive action and support it because of its effect, in part, on law enforcement.

The cost estimates range from $14 billion to $16 billion, which seems like a staggering amount until you consider what it costs to put men on the moon.

We believe it is time for Congress to enact a new legislative paradigm that will restructure intercity passenger service.

Loss of rail service would cost the economy $100 million a day.

I know she is very dedicated to improving our rail service.

And to all of you, I look forward to working with you as we continue this very important work.

Passenger rail service is a critical link between people, jobs, and opportunities.

Thanks very much Madam Chairwoman. Thank you for having this hearing.

We are a nation of immigrants and we are strong and great in part because we welcome immigrants.