If I might ask another question to the Senator from Rhode Island from the time allotted on our side, I listened carefully to the speech given by the Republican leader this morning. I see my colleague from New York here, so I will yield the…

Would the Senator yield for a question? How much time is remaining? The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 3\1/2\ minutes remaining.

This is the world's worst ongoing humanitarian crisis and the worst refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994, and perhaps since World War II.

So let us use this opportunity to give a shout-out, if we fail to, to private sector efforts to try to help in this refugee situation.

The point made by Senator Cruz is obvious and valid. We do not want anyone to come into the United States who will be a threat to our security.

In Egypt, it looks like clear instability.

It is no exaggeration to say that a generation of Syrian children is at risk.

Many of those receiving countries who are receiving Syrian refugees are making extraordinary sacrifices on their own part to help.

It was reported only recently Lebanon started to allow these IKEA refugee housing units to be used to shelter Syrians for fear that housing too sturdy and protective would encourage them to stay indefinitely.

Chairman Leahy, the Chairman of the full Judiciary Committee, who has been a leader on refugee issues, has submitted a statement.

We see a problem. We are a caring people. We want to do something about it.

The United States has made a total contribution, as you noted, Senator Durbin, of $1.3 billion.

For a long time, Chairman Durbin has worked hard to ensure that perpetrators of human rights abuses do not attain safe haven in the United States.

I look forward to hearing the thoughts and learned judgment of the members of this panel on how we can approach these interrelated problems.

as I mentioned earlier today, I spoke with Majority Leader Reid this morning. He sounds hale and hearty and anxious to get home and then back to work. We look forward to that happening when he returns to his desk early in the new year in…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 3487, which was received from the House and is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read…

I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment or recess of the Senate from Friday, December 20 to Monday, January 6, the majority leader and Senators Warner and Rockefeller be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint…

I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 2019) to eliminate…

I ask unanimous consent that the following items be indefinitely postponed, H. Con. Res. 72 and H. Res. 219. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Senator Reid, the majority leader, is absent today. I will be acting in his place. Senator Reid called me this morning. He sounded good. We look forward to his speedy recovery. Following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn and convene for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times and that following each pro forma session, the Senate…

the last rollcall vote took 11\1/2\ minutes. Thank you all for your cooperation. ____________________

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 2:10 p.m., conditionally adjourned until Tuesday, December 24, 2013, at…

that 10-minute rollcall took 18 minutes. If people stay on the floor we can move these a lot quicker. ____________________

there will be two rollcall votes beginning at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 6. ____________________