I think we all understand that extremists get their strength from people who are desperate and have little hope.

Using U.S.-flagged vessels not only helps U.S. industry, but also helps the Department of Defense to have sealift capacity in the case of a national need.

U.S. leadership is critically important.

I am hopeful--and most of us are--that soon we will be able to consider Medicare legislation that has passed the House of Representatives. It is probably best known as the SGR permanent fix. The SGR, which is a payment system that affects…

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the significant strides we have made in confronting colorectal cancer and to renew…

is there any time remaining on the Democratic side? The PRESIDING OFFICER. No time remains on the Democratic side. The question is on agreeing to the Cardin amendment No. 367.

there is an estimated 5.85 million citizens who can't vote as a result of criminal convictions and nearly 4.4 million of those have already been released from prison. One out of every 13 African Americans of voting age have lost their…

First, Mr. President, I thank Senator Peters for the amendments he just offered. We had a hearing in the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee in regard to the patent issues. It is clearly a huge concern by the innovators, the…

I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment to call up the following amendments en bloc: Cardin amendments Nos. 364, 367, 439, 440, 899, and 900. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so…

I wish to take a few minutes to talk a little bit about the amendments. I see Senator Portman on the floor, and I want to talk about amendment No. 899, which provides a deficit-neutral reserve fund for financial literacy. The two of us…

a budget is the statement of the principles and priorities of our country. I have heard a lot of my colleagues talk about specific amendments, some of which I support and some of which I oppose. But I think it is important first to talk…

I rise to discuss the ongoing crisis in Syria. Sunday, March 15, marked the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian civil war. Since this brutal war began, more than 3.8 million Syrians have fled Syria, 7.6 million have been…

We are trying to balance two different thoughts on how the patent system is working.

We are very concerned to make sure we protect intellectual property.

I cannot imagine the fear that a small high-tech firm must go through if they receive a letter where they do not know really the source of who is behind it, who threatens their existence, challenging their legitimacy to the work that they…

I think that is criminal, and I think that is an abuse that really needs to be corrected.

Well, Chairman Vitter, first of all, thank you for convening this hearing.

Only this Committee focuses on the small business community, and it is very appropriate that we have a hearing dealing with the impact of these policies as they affect small business.

The role of small business is critical to the dialogue on patents.

There should not be much controversy in requiring standing for someone to challenge.

I can't understand why there would be any objection to allowing the States to move forward.

I hope this means that we may be able to center in some areas that can really bring us together.

The current TSCA law does not work. We have a responsibility to enact a law that will work.

I thank you for holding this hearing to allow us all to reflect once again on how fortunate we were to serve in the U.S. Senate with Frank Lautenberg.

I want to thank Senator Boxer for her passion on this issue and recognizing that we can do better and continuing to raise those issues.