The need to invest in our transportation infrastructure is huge and needs to be done.

We can invest now and lay down a strong foundation for long-term growth, or we can let the system continue to crumble.

The welfare and safety of tenants must be safeguarded, and federally subsidized properties must represent fair value to both the tenant and the taxpayer alike.

HUD has an obligation to oversee the use of Federal funds of public housing agencies nationwide and to ensure that these funds are not supporting substandard properties.

President Obama is proposing to cap the funding for overseas contingency operations over the next 10 years, thereby saving hundreds of billions of dollars.

we were engaged in lengthy debate for months--maybe years--about health care in the United States, and I believe we passed a historic bill that addresses some of the most fundamental issues about health care: first, to address…

I was heartened by the dialog between Senators Reid and McConnell this morning, talking about more bipartisan cooperation, civility, and cooperation to try to deal with appropriations bills. I would like to commend to the Republican leader…

the march of progress in America can be marked by the expansion of freedom. Slaves who were denied full citizenship under our Constitution were given their rights with amendments after our Civil War. Civil rights legislation in the 1960s…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Remembering Dr. Young Woo Kang

I announce that the Senator from Iowa (Mr. Harkin), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye), the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg), the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), and the Senator…

Your statement about Russia and China failing to join us in the United Nations Security Council on what would have been a powerful statement against the killing, the wanton killing taking place in Syria was one of the best.

I hope you can join the voices that are on both sides of the aisle here that are promoting that legislation.

What happens to those poor little girls---- Who become victims of a child marriage, it ruins their lives, and sometimes literally kills them with an early pregnancy they can't handle.

I think that was what leadership is all about.

I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Bingaman) is necessarily absent.

I listened carefully to the statement made by the Republican minority leader about deficits, and I think it is worthy to note that history suggests an opposite conclusion from what he just said. Remember this: The last time the Federal…

I announce that the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu) and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) are necessarily absent.

last night, the Senate adopted the final version of a long term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The process has been long and less than elegant as we worked through differences between the chambers, across parties…

the January jobs report shows that President Obama and many others have joined to help put our economy on the path to recovery. The economy added 257,000 private sector jobs in January. That is the 23rd month in a row that the economy has…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate at 6:29 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 10 a.m…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the following items en bloc: Calendar No. 234, S. 1794, and Calendar No. 235, H.R. 347. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments to each bill be agreed to en bloc; that both bills, as amended, be read a third time and passed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no…

we hope to begin consideration of the surface transportation bill tomorrow. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 368, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 368) recognizing…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two…