Tom Harkin

I ask unanimous consent that Patrick Miller-Bartley, Kyle Brewster, and Danielle Corley of my staff be granted the privilege of the floor for the duration of today's session. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so…

I rise today to correct some unfortunate remarks made on the floor this month and reaffirm my long-standing support for the medical research programs at the Department of Defense, most of which fall under the Congressionally Directed…

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet in executive session on Wednesday, January 29, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to markup the nominations of David…

I come to the floor to speak in favor of the Omnibus appropriations bill we now have before us. First and foremost, it is noteworthy that this is a bill, not a continuing resolution. For the first time in years, Congress has returned to…

I fundamentally disagree with that view.

on January 11, 1964, 50 years ago this week, Dr. Luther Terry released the landmark Surgeon General's report-- the first of its kind--on smoking and health. The report established conclusive links between smoking and lung cancer, chronic…

Thank you, Chairman Harkin, Senator Alexander, and members of the committee for taking the time out of what I know from experience are significantly demanding schedules to devote your time to this critically important issue.

first, I thank the Senator from Rhode Island and the Senator from Utah for agreeing to the way we worked this out so we could all have our time to speak on the Senate floor. I appreciate it very much. Extending unemployment compensation…

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on January 16, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., in room SD- 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a…

with that, I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that Gregory Shanahan and Lemi Tilahun of my staff be granted floor privileges for the duration of today's proceedings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

first I want to thank our leader and our assistant leader for their great leadership and for their eloquence here on the floor today and for correctly stating what the issue is. It is not rules; it is justice. I am going to speak about…

we have the opportunity today to take care of some very important unfinished business. We left town last year without ensuring that millions of American jobseekers could retain access to vital unemployment insurance. I hope we correct this…

ensuring equal opportunities and equal rights for individuals with disabilities has been one of my highest priorities during my time in Congress. As the lead Senate sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I still remember the day…

I ask unanimous consent that Trenton White of my staff be granted floor privileges for the duration of today's proceedings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

as chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which holds jurisdiction over the servicing of our Federal student loan programs, it is my understanding that the intent of the budget agreement is to allow for the…

I want to take the floor today because I am very disturbed by the apparent shift in attitude by many elected leaders, including some in this body and in the House--the attitude towards people who do the work that makes this country run…

I rise in enthusiastic support of the nomination of Chai Feldblum to serve a second term at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Commissioner Feldblum has served with distinction at the Commission since 2010. She is a respected…

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet in executive session on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to mark-up S. 1417, Newborn…

today I wish to speak about one of the most important jobs the Senate must do before we go home for the holidays--extend Federal unemployment insurance benefits. This is a program that has helped tens of millions of Americans weather the…

Thanks to Chairman Harkin's leadership on this issue, I am very hopeful that we'll see the full Senate vote to increase the minimum wage soon.

Nearly 90 percent of workers who would benefit from increasing the minimum wage are at least 20 years old, and 55 percent work full-time.

I support David Weil's nomination. I know his service at the Department of Labor would contribute to a stronger U.S. economy.

Raising the minimum wage could allow Americans who currently rely on government assistance programs the ability to be more self-sufficient.

as Senator Alexander has indicated, we have been working together for a long time to develop legislation that will ensure that patients have access to the compounded drug products they need and that they can have greater confidence that…