4 years ago, following one of the most devastating attacks in our Nation's history, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act to give our Nation's law enforcement the tools they needed to track down terrorists who plot and lurk within our own…

The VA had made management efficiency claims which make up over $1 billion in this year's budget, but the [Government Accountability Office (GAO)], at least, says haven't been and can't be proven.

2 weeks ago, in a debate on the Senate version of the tax reconciliation bill, I proposed an amendment to provide tax relief for victims of Katrina, paid for by restricting the extension of capital gains and dividend tax cuts only to…

today, I am introducing new legislation to build on the excellent work my colleagues began with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. That bill would close the revolving door between Capitol Hill and lobbying jobs. It would end…

in the hours after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, America's air traffic controllers rose to meet the tremendous challenges of that day. After halting all takeoffs, controllers began clearing the skies over America. Under unprecedented…

I believe firmly that the Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent.

America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. I am, therefore, going to oppose the increase in the debt limit.

across the country there are more than 6 million children living in households headed by a grandparent or other relative. Regardless of the reason children enter relative--care the death of a parent, neglect, abuse, military deployment, or…

I rise today, on behalf of Senator Brownback, Senator Durbin, and Senator DeWine to introduce the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act. As we try to conclude our business for the year here in the…

4 years ago, following the most devastating attack in our history, this Senate passed the USA PATRIOT Act in order to give our Nation's law enforcement the tools they needed to track down terrorists who plot and lurk within our own borders…

I support Senator Carper's motion to instruct reconciliation conferees to reject the House TANF provisions. Assisting needy families is too important an issue for this Chamber to cede its legislative authority to the House of…

I call up amendment No. 2605 and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Illinois [Mr. Obama], for himself and Mr. Coburn, and Mr…

I was asked by the Senator from Massachusetts to read that, just to get it into the queue. At this stage I am not speaking on it, and I am not asking for any additional action on it. I just wanted to get it in. If it is a problem, I am…

amendment No. 2605 deals with Hurricane Katrina contracting. This sense-of-the-Senate amendment I offer with Senators Coburn, Lautenberg, Ensign, and Johnson is a simple effort to enforce some accountability and transparency into the…

today, Senator Burr and I are introducing a resolution that reaffirms the importance of the Medicaid prospective payment system for federally qualified health centers. Federally qualified health centers--community, migrant, public housing…

oil companies recently announced record profits. Those of us who drive cars and trucks could feel our wallets shrink at the news. Throughout most of this year, American drivers have paid the highest gas prices of all time--more so in the…

I rise first to commend Senators Specter and Harkin for their diligence and hard work on what is an enormous bill, particularly given the tight budget they had to work with. I also personally thank Senators Specter and Harkin for adopting…

I rise today to support an important cause, at a critical time, increasing the representation of students from underrepresented backgrounds in law school and the legal profession. Senator Durbin and I have introduced an amendment to the…

today the Nation mourns a genuine American hero. Rosa Parks died yesterday in her home in Detroit. Through her courage and by her example, Rosa Parks helped lay the foundation for a country that could begin to live up to its creed. Her…

I am proud to cosponsor the amendment that Senators Leahy, Coleman, Sarbanes, Graham and Reed have offered to protect funding for three programs critical to working families and low-income communities: the Community Development Block…

we are continuing to witness, as I think you are aware, the relentless spread of avian flu carried slowly, but predictably, by wild migratory birds from countries in Southeast Asia to western China to Mongolia and then over the Ural…

I ask that I be able to proceed out of order. It is my understanding the Republicans actually control the time at the moment. I ask unanimous consent that I be able to proceed and the time to be taken out of the Democratic time. The…

even as our Nation faces new public health challenges, it is crucial that we not lose sight of a devastating disease that has remained a challenge for decades the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Over the past two decades, the Nation has witnessed…

I rise today to say that, as I have often thought, justice is a curious thing. She has been poked and prodded, detained and defaced, and her piercing light is too often hidden from view. Justice had a tough time in Montgomery and Selma…

I request 7 or 8 minutes, but as my esteemed colleague from West Virginia knows, I am happy to defer to him if we do not have enough time before the vote.