the Committee on Finance has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 116th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying rules for the Senate…

this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Legislative Drafting Service, which we now know as the Office of the Legislative Counsel. In recognition of the anniversary, I would like to make a few comments about the…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Ninety-First Senate President Pro Tempore

I come to the floor today to offer a few reflections in these opening days--now opening weeks--of the 116th Congress. On January 3, I was honored to be sworn in as the 91st Senate President pro tempore. As many of you know, I love history…

I ask unanimous consent that the time on the quorum call be equally divided between the two sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.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

tax filing season is just around the corner. This has never been anyone's favorite time of the year, paying taxes, but the uncertainty created by the current partial government shutdown has understandably created a bit more angst than in a…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum…

In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceedings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The…

I understand there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the title of the bill for the second time. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 109) to…

I would like to pay tribute to Mike Davis for his incredibly hard work on my Senate Judiciary Committee staff as chief counsel for nominations. He is an Iowan, so his work ethic should be no surprise, but he went above and beyond to ensure…

I come to the Senate floor to pay my respects and to pay tribute to a fellow Iowan. This fellow Iowan served for 6 years right here in the U.S. Senate. In fact, the Iowan who brings me to the floor today is my predecessor, the Honorable…

I now would like to go to a final set of remarks--probably the final set of remarks for this Congress as we draw to a close--to summarize some of the work of the Judiciary Committee, as I have been chairman for the last 4 years. I have…

now I would like to speak to the issue and several issues that deal with international trade. During the last 2 years, there has been more talk about international trade in this town than at just about any other point since this President…

oversight is one of the most important responsibilities of this legislative branch. The Constitution requires it. Without oversight, the Members of this body cannot legislate in the best interests of their constituents, nor can they ensure…

yesterday one of my colleagues came to the floor to talk about my objection to the unanimous consent request relating to the nomination of William R. Evanina. When I noticed my intention to place a hold on this nominee back in June of this…

I ask unanimous consent that these letters be printed in the Record for S. 3649, a bill to provide for programs to help reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate upon release from prison, and for other purposes. There being no…

I thank Senator Durbin for his kind remarks--more importantly, for 3 years of working together on this legislation, and it is great that it paid off. ____________________

today is a good day for representative government, it is a good day for the taxpayers, and it is a good day for safe streets and strong families. It is also a good day to emphasize that many times Congress acts in a bipartisan way, and…

This was a combined effort, one on a scale not often seen in Washington these days. I am grateful for everyone's work to bring about these historic reforms. Together, we have taken steps to reduce crime and recidivism, to strengthen faith…

I come to the floor to speak about the work of the Senate on victims' rights and child protection measures and also to highlight the work of Evelyn Fortier, staff member, who has carried such a big burden in these areas of victims' rights…

It is the victims notification amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 730, H.R. 6615. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 6615) to reauthorize…

before I go to that subject, I just heard Senator Schumer speak about the bill before the Senate, the criminal justice reform bill, but he has left the floor now. I thank him for his kind remarks and his backing of that bill--a very…

because it has been announced that we have gone to the bill, it makes it necessary for me to ask to speak for a few minutes, as in morning business, on a subject that is unrelated to the bill before us. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…