We have not uncovered any official efforts to suppress dissent or any intent to intrude into people's private lives without legal justification.

Senator McConnell has made a very important call to restore the Senate as the great deliberative body it was intended to be. I would like to continue to add my voice to that call. In fact, I am going to expand on some observations I made…

What worries me about the suggestion that we impose a judicial process on NSLs is that it would actually make it harder for us to do national security investigations than bank fraud investigations.

The most important responsibility of government is to protect our national security, while at the same time preserving our civil liberties.

One of the things that I am concerned about is that we not rebuild the wall that exists between our law enforcement and national security communities before September 11th.

First, I, like my colleagues, congratulate the nominees and the families that are proud of their nomination...

there is really no reason why the leader of the Senate cannot bring these nominations up for a vote anytime that he decides to do it.

I often feel that whistleblowers are kind of treated like skunks at a picnic, just as an example.

casting non-believers as outsiders to the political community.

It was putting a strain on a lot of people's criminal records which really should not be there.

I very much believe whistleblowers are patriotic people, and that we would not be able to do our job of oversight or in your case prosecution if you did not have some of their information.

In my view, the right to self-defense does not mean a whole lot if you cannot access your firearm in a real big hurry.

the majority stripped the minority of any ability to stop any nominee from being confirmed on the floor.

One of the problems with the Department's policy of selective enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in Colorado and Washington is that the Federal priorities identified by the Department are already being negatively impacted by the…

I have reminded my colleagues of the predecessor's involvement of this office orchestrating the quid pro quo...

I applaud the Chairman for his work.

the Majority Leader can bring up these nominations for a vote on the floor anytime he decides to do so.

There are some number of people in large corporations who learn about things that could be considered violations of securities laws. Now they have a huge motivation to move forward.

I hope when you run into some of this you will be an advocate for them within the Department.

over the past 5 years the Federal Reserve has pursued unconventional and unprecedented monetary policy. As Vice chair of the Fed, Janet Yellen has been a strong proponent of these policies. As chair, she is likely to continue these same…

I ask permission to speak for about 10 minutes on the Yellen nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

today we consider the nomination of Brian Davis to be a District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida. I will vote for him today (although there has been some controversy surrounding his nomination). I wish to take a minute to…

it is a great pleasure to thank my colleagues, Senators Warner, Collins, and Kaine, for their partnership in winning this breakthrough in newly-strengthened whistleblower protections for our troops. It is important to be clear about a…

like my colleagues, and as I have done several times before, I come to the floor to share the voice of one of many Iowans who have contacted me over the sticker shock that they are experiencing under the Affordable Care Act. This time I…

I rise for two purposes. No. 1, to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act and the fact that we cannot offer amendments to it and the process that has deteriorated in the Senate for deliberation. Second, I will speak very shortly…