Thank you for ensuring that every student has the opportunity to stay on the pathway to success and not become caught in the school-to-prison pipeline.

I just think that it has to be--whoever is making the decision, whether it is a judge or a principal or a teacher or whoever it is who has authority, we have to give them more tools and more options.

As a Nation, we can do better. More importantly, as a Nation, for the sake of our own soul, we have to do better.

it is my pleasure today to recognize Buddy Guy, who was recently honored here in Washington at the Kennedy Center for his contribution to the arts. George ``Buddy'' Guy was born in 1936 into a Louisiana sharecropper family. He first…

I say in response to the Senator from Michigan, the Senate Republican leader, Senator McConnell, has such a strong appetite for the filibuster that we have seen 386 or 387 filibusters in the last 6 years, and now he has decided another…

the College Board recently released its annual report on trends in college pricing. What the report found was more students in debt with higher amounts of debt than ever before. The biggest offenders? No surprise, for-profit colleges…

I met with Jo Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary for the Army Corps of Engineers. She came to my office last week to discuss the low levels of water on the Mississippi River. This week the National Weather Service reported the river was…

what just transpired deserves a word. Senator McConnell came to the floor this morning and offered a change in law that would help us avoid the kind of obstruction and the kind of showdowns that we have had in the past over the debt…

I announce that the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), and the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad) are necessarily absent. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from…

I announce that the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye), and the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller) are necessarily absent.

The bill before us, the permanent normal trade relations with Russia, is important legislation to expand trading opportunities. I was thinking, as the Senator from South Dakota spoke about this debate on the floor and what it was like…

I wish to thank the Senator from Michigan for her leadership on this issue--21 days until Christmas, 27 days until ``cliffmas.'' That is the fiscal cliff--December 31--and people are counting down. Two-thirds of Americans are watching this…

I want to recognize ``a wonderful life.'' Much like the movie starring Jimmy Stewart, it is the story of a small town boy who dreamed of big adventures in a big city, but who discovered his life's calling not far from home. For nearly 60…

let me thank Senator Kerry, Senator McCain, Senator Lugar, and so many others who have brought this matter to the floor. It was 22 years ago when an historic event took place on the floor of this Senate which changed the United States of…

I anounce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Franken), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are…

I ask consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS

I recently had an opportunity to visit Cuba for the first time. I have been frustrated for many years about the impasse between the United States and Cuba. I believed, and continue to believe, that the best way to change the Castro regime…

I announce that the Senator from Washington (Mr. Murray), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill) and the Senator from Oregon (Mrs. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

I thank my colleague from Oklahoma. Many of my other colleagues may not be aware of his interest and dedication to the continent of Africa. He has traveled there probably as much if not more than any other Member of the Senate. It has been…

I announce that the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) and are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.