This hearing provides us an opportunity to hear the Government's view on the need to reform this law.

It takes longer to prepare a 2703(d) order application than a subpoena, and it takes longer to prepare a search warrant application than a 2703(d) order application.

If Congress slows down the process, then this could have real-life consequences, you know, particularly where human life is involved?

If all electronic communications, with emphasis upon 'all,' required a search warrant, the courts would experience additional burdens as well.

The legal standard to obtain information should be increased.

today our body, the Senate, is going to vote to confirm the 15th judicial nominee for this year. If it seems to my colleagues and to the public that we have been voting on a nominee every week, well, we have been voting on a nominee at…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 493) to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes. Pending: McConnell amendment No. 183, to prohibit the Administrator of the…

often I come to the Senate floor to talk about alternative energy. Most of the time it is about biofuels. Sometimes it is about wind, because I am the author of the wind energy tax credit. Sometimes it is to speak about it. Hardly ever do…

I would take a moment to publicly thank you, Director Mueller, for your service to America.

The three expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act are very important tools used by law enforcement and the intelligence community to protect us from threats to our National security.

I have always appreciated your candor and your willingness to work with us to get answers even if we do not always agree.

I think that your answer shows that if these provisions were not reauthorized or if they were substantially weakened by including new requirements, it would be detrimental to the agents in the field.

You do not get to pick and choose which statutes to defend.

Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act permits States to choose whether or not to recognize same-sex marriages from other States.

Does that include the Defense of Marriage Act?

National security letters are an essential part of building blocks of national security investigations. They have never had a sunset in law.

you must enforce and defend these laws, regardless of your personal views, and I believe you must do so vigorously.

Well, then I think you answered this question just now, but let me ask it anyway.

I rise to speak on another of President Obama's judicial nominees. Tonight's vote to confirm Ms. Mae D'Agostino will be the 14th judicial nominee confirmed this Congress. It is the 10th judicial emergency filled this year. Even though I…

all too often we learn of new and emerging drug threats to our communities that often have a huge negative impact on our youth. When these drug threats emerge it is crucial that we unite to halt the spread of the problem before it consumes…

toady we vote on our 13th judicial nominee in just 29 legislative days. In this session of the Senate, we have confirmed more judicial nominees than in the same time period for any of the previous four Presidents. I like to keep my…

He uses the acronym REINS, but it is called the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act. Basically, what it does--and I applaud Senator Paul for his amendment, and I will surely vote for it--and that is, when we delegate…

I believe there is a pending amendment, which hopefully we will vote on, called the McConnell amendment. It basically takes away from the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gases. The Environmental…

Today I am introducing a bill that will keep the Federal Government accountable. Whistleblowers are the key to unlocking the secrets of wrongdoing because they have access to information about how the frauds were perpetrated and can help…

Today, we will confirm yet another of President Obama's judicial nominees. After today's vote, we will have confirmed five judicial nominees in the last 5 legislative days. We are moving swiftly in committee and on the Senate floor…