No matter what, there is no good way out of this. There are no good choices.

We don't want a Government shutdown.

We want to deal with the sequester.

I oppose it--which would give up congressional authority.

I recognize the concerns of the Senator from Oklahoma. His amendment has good intentions by seeking to find ways to reduce duplication for all Department of Justice, DOJ, grants to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations. I…

I come to the floor today in strong support of the Violence Against Women Act. The Violence Against Women Act is a strong, inclusive, and bipartisan bill supported by the vast majority of our colleagues here. This bill has major, necessary…

I think we also focus considerable resources, perhaps not as many as we should--but there's a lot of attention and discussion on kids who have disabilities.

I consider this one of the greatest threats and one of the greatest vulnerabilities, because we failed to pass the legislation ourselves.

I've either been misled, misrepresented, had to pull information out--often at the most minimal kind of way.

I was struck by the mother's remark, 'It is as difficult for me to provide the supports that my son needs as it would be had he had a significant learning difficulty.'

I stand as the chair of the full Appropriations Committee to respond to two Portman amendments. I will comment on one and speak to the one related to automatic CRs, which is in the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee. First I will…

I oppose the amendment. It would trigger an automatic CR if Congress doesn't pass appropriations bills or a CR. I understand the Senator's goal, but I oppose the amendment for three reasons: One, the amendment is really about cutting; it…

Little germs are doing to me what my opponents couldn't, which is stop me from talking. I thank the Senator for his courtesy. Mr. President, I oppose the Portman amendment related to automatic Continuing Resolutions with cuts if Congress…

If the Senator from Pennsylvania will withhold? After he speaks, the Senator from Montana will speak, and then may I be recognized on the Portman amendment? I ask unanimous consent I be recognized after the Senator from Montana. The…

I thank the Senator for the courtesy. Both the Senator from Montana and I have been hit by this bug.

I join with my colleagues you have already heard from--Senator Cantwell of Washington State, Senator Stabenow of Michigan--and today I know other Senators will be coming to the floor to say: We want to finish the job. We want to finish the…

I rise to speak on the Paycheck Fairness Act. I would ask how much time is remaining. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is 17 minutes remaining.

I ask unanimous consent that we extend for another 15 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I am pleased to stand here today to support President Obama's nomination of my esteemed colleague, Senator John Kerry, to serve as our Nation's next Secretary of State. Senator Kerry has had a long career of service to the American people…

the Senator from Louisiana was asking me a question while I was getting a copy of my speech. What was the question?

we are just moments from voting on both the Lee amendment and on final passage. I rise to oppose the Lee amendment, the amendment of the junior Senator from Utah. His amendment would cut $6.3 billion from fiscal year 2013. That is $6…

I rise to urge my colleagues to immediately pass this urgent supplemental bill without further delay. I remind my colleagues and those who are watching us on global C-SPAN, this is the bill that will pay for disaster relief to help our…

I yield 5 minutes to Senator Schumer. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Blumenthal). The Senator from New York.

If I could just finish my remarks, and I will turn to the gentlelady from Louisiana. Also, this amendment is terrible in terms of process. If we pass the Lee amendment, not only will it shred the Budget Control Act of 2011-- just shred…

I think it will be in very serious danger of passing because the impact of the cuts is significant, severe, even Armageddon, and it would send it back to the House for further negotiation. The House is out this week, and then they kind of…