today, for only the fourth time in over 70 years, we will confirm a Federal judge during a lame-duck session in a Presidential election year. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Senate has confirmed judicial nominees…

I ask unanimous consent that Yajuan Lu, a health care fellow in my office, be allowed privileges of the floor for the remainder of the 112th Congress. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

the Nation has lost a brave patriot who died defending freedom. Sergeant Joseph A. Richardson, who grew up in Algona, IA, was killed during a patrol in Paktika province, Afghanistan on November 16, 2012. He was clearly an accomplished…

in less then 2 months, American taxpayers are set to experience one of the largest tax increases in American history. With the elections behind us, it is time for us to work together to reach an agreement that can pass both chambers of…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Fiscal Cliff

I, along with Senator Mark Kirk, intend to object to proceeding to the nomination of Richard Berner to head the Office of Financial Research within the Department of the Treasury. We will object to proceeding to the nomination because the…

I wish to thank several of my colleagues who have recognized me for casting my 11,000th vote yesterday. I want to acknowledge the fine things Senator Reid, the majority leader, said, Senator McConnell, the Republican leader, Senator…

we are again discussing the important topic of cybersecurity--a topic we all agree is of the utmost importance and worthy of our attention. Unfortunately, this is like the movie ``Groundhog Day.'' The majority continues to push the same…

I am getting the runaround from the inspector general at the Department of Defense, and my remarks, which are fairly lengthy, will be connected with that problem I am having. With sequestration looming on the horizon, Congress needs a…

Iowa has lost another native son fighting for our liberty on foreign soil. I am sad to announce that on Monday, November 5, just as our Nation was preparing to cast our ballots in the election, PFC Brandon Buttry of Shenandoah, IA, gave…

on Wednesday, the inspector general of the Department of Justice issued his report on ATF's Operation Fast and Furious. This report is a significant milestone for the family of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. He was killed in a firefight…

the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act has put the brakes on Medicaid expansion for now. The Federal Government can no longer force States to expand their Medicaid programs. With the expansion and the billions of dollars…

as a matter of senatorial courtesy, since I am referring to some things that the majority leader has said previously, not recently but previously, I have informed him of what I was going to say. On August 2, the majority leader decided…

But should you be confirmed, your political history might concern future litigants.

Do you believe that the United States is at war against terrorists?

Do you believe that terrorists pose a danger to America?

I think by any objective measure, one would have to conclude that we are treating this President and his nominees quite fairly.

Prostitution is largely, if it is a criminal activity, left to individual States.

I come to the floor to discuss the State of our economy and to give suggestions on how to improve it. But before I go to the main purpose of why I came here, I wish to say to the Senator from Maryland that I agree with him. The House of…

I rise today to introduce, along with Senator Franken, the Family Farmer Bankruptcy Tax Clarification Act of 2012. This bill addresses the recent United States Supreme Court case Hall v. United States. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court…

We need to ensure that patients have access to the information they need.

It is my sincere hope that CMS is prepared to be open and honest about where it is in the process and why it has failed to implement the law in a timely manner.

Thank you for your leadership, and particularly I thank you for your bipartisanship on this effort.

Assistant U.S. attorney C.J. Williams described Ms. Rose's ability to quickly comprehend complex issues. Former assistant U.S. attorney Bob Teig, who retired last year after 31 years, said Thursday that Rose will make an ``excellent''…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose, of Iowa, to be United…