You cannot solve a problem by throwing money at it unless the problem is lack of money.

I think some of the criticism that was heaped on her was unfair and did not reflect the fact that she was reporting the best information she had available at the time.

The point I am trying to get to is, two extraordinarily talented individuals, Admiral Mullen, and maybe one of the best diplomats of our time, Ambassador Pickering, did a thorough review here, found shortcomings in our protection of our…

As Student Loan Debt Surpasses $1 Trillion, Senators Introduce Legislation To Address Crisis

I want to join in the remarks of the majority leader. What a disappointment to learn that last night the House of Representatives failed to bring up the supplemental appropriations bill, which is to provide relief for the victims of…

it is my understanding that the majority leader is going to yield the floor to me at this moment. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois. ____________________

the State of Nevada was admitted to the Union in 1864. Since 1864 there have been 25 Senators in its 148-year history. Today Harry Mason Reid becomes the longest serving Member of Congress in the history of the State of Nevada. Senator…

I thank the Senator from New Mexico and the Presiding Officer, the Senator from Oregon, for their leadership in talking about rules reform. They are relatively new to the Senate. I have been here a few years and I have seen a dramatic…

I ask to speak in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is recognized. ____________________

it was after 2 a.m. this morning when the Senate finally passed this historic measure which puts the fiscal cliff behind us, if--if--the House of Representatives follows through and passes it as well. I hope they take it up today or as…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair. There being no objection, the Senate, at 8:15 p.m., recessed subject to the call of the Chair and reassembled at 1:22 a.m. when called to order by…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3715 introduced earlier today by Senator Harkin. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it recess under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:26 p.m., recessed until Monday, December 31, 2012, at 11 a.m…

I wish to clarify a few things. The Parliamentarian referred the bill to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was reported favorably by that committee. It was referred to the Senate Banking Committee, but I made a point with Senator…

it is hard to imagine we are a little over 24 hours away from going over the so-called fiscal cliff, which occurs at midnight on December 31--tomorrow. This cliff is self-imposed. It is a penalty we voted for if we fail to deal with the…

I ask unanimous consent that when tributes to Danny Inouye, late Senator from Hawaii, be printed as a Senate document, and that Members have until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, to submit said tributes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 283, S. 970. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 970) to designate…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 3250, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until 11 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two…

I ask unanimous consent that the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 2015 and S. 3563, and the Senate proceed to their consideration, along with the following bills en bloc: H.R. 3263, H.R. 3641, and H.R. 4073…

I rise with the intention of asking consent for the immediate consideration of passage of S. 2215, the Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act that I have introduced in the Senate with Senators Boozman, Coons…

I understand there is a bill at the desk. 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. 459) to require a full…

I do not believe there is any further debate on this bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time. The…

I ask unanimous consent that where applicable, the committee-reported amendments be considered; that any amendments to those amendments, which are at the desk, be agreed to; that the committee-reported amendments, as amended, if amended…

I ask unanimous consent the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________