The time for meetings and deliberations about chemical safety is over and we need measurable, meaningful action to improve protection for workers, first responders and local residents.

Whenever they occur, it reminds us that we must all collaborate and we must all do better.

We have also undertaken initiatives to improve ammonium nitrate safety as raised by Senator Vitter.

I believe that many of the actions being contemplated as part of this order may actually result in outcomes contrary to our collective goals.

reserving the right to object. I appreciate the comments of the Senator from California and want to work with her toward a common goal. In that spirit, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator modify her request and agree to the substitute…

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today to express strong concern and opposition to President Obama's Executive amnesty, which I think is clearly, flat-out illegal and unconstitutional. I announce that because of that I will be voting…

I ask unanimous consent that all time be yielded back. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, all time is yielded back. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the…

Did that unanimous consent agreement cover both bills? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

It is completely unprecedented. It was a very basic, very straightforward request that we get this hearing given that Mr. Baran is nominated now to a full term before a committee vote.

I am truly honored to join my colleagues on the floor, Senators Warner and Begich. I am pleased to support Senator Warner's bill that he just described and also a second bill Senator Begich and I have been working very diligently on that…

I just want to express real regret that when Republicans on this committee unanimously requested what is completely standard a hearing on Mr. Baran's nomination to a full term, we were denied that opportunity before the committee vote…

I thank the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia. ____________________

I just think it is very, very unfortunate that we were shut out of the normal process in that way.

I have a parliamentary inquiry. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator will state it.

I would like to thank you for calling today's hearing.

Reserving the right to object. There are major concerns, particularly about the NRC nominee. He has no technical or scientific background. He visited his first nuclear plant this summer. Given that, and given that there is no precedent…

reserving the right to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.

I think this is very unfortunate. My distinguished colleague alluded to what I know. Let me tell you what I know. I know 93,000 Louisianians were forced off a plan they had, they liked, and they wanted to keep. I know the President of the…

Recently the House of Representatives passed, on a bipartisan basis, H.R. 3522, the Employee Health Care Protection Act by Congressman Bill Cassidy. This bipartisan act that passed the House would keep the President's core promise…

reclaiming the floor---- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.

We have a significant proposal. It is a constitutional amendment to rewrite the First Amendment to the Constitution, the first portion of the Bill of Rights, and it would fundamentally alter and take away certain free speech rights of…

reclaiming the floor, as the Senator knows, it is simply not true that we are being treated on the exchange as other Americans are treated. That is flat out not true. No other American at our income level is getting the huge subsidy that…

I think there was an objection to my unanimous consent request, and I wish to reclaim the floor.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Hirono). Without objection, it is so ordered. Border Security

I rise to talk about the crisis at our southern border and the need for unified action to deal with it and the need to come together on a commonsense enforcement approach that undoubtedly will need some additional resources, but also…