It is very important. We appreciate your leadership.

Having met Assad, I agree that the likelihood of President Assad stepping aside voluntarily is rather remote.

I concur with my friend from Mississippi on the importance of passing the RESTORE Act. It is in our transportation reauthorization bill, and it is an important part. It not only helps the Gulf States but all the States that border oceans…

we need to pass a long-term transportation reauthorization bill. The Senate has done this. The Senate passed its bill 2 months ago by a very strong margin of 74 to 22. I call it a consensus bill and not a bipartisan bill, because we went…

I think we are heading towards a frozen conflict which is the worst of all scenarios with Assad staying in power unless we try to change the equation.

I think that is not just the assessment of the United States, but the international assessment.

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.

Let me conclude by quoting our former colleague Senator Kennedy, who said that civil rights is the great unfinished business of America. Let's continue to fight to make sure we have equal justice under the law for all Americans. That is…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Racial Profiling

What is most important now is that Congress work with the agency to advance smart and thoughtful reforms.

We all were shocked by the Inspector General's report revealing the shocking and shameful extravagant spending that the GSA Western Regional Service Division engaged in in 2010.

The need for a thoughtful explanation of the investigation into GSA's conduct and spending in the Western Region is absolutely necessary as Congress weighs appropriate actions to take to reform the agency.

I take this time to inform my colleagues of a hearing that took place this morning before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights of the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Durbin. Senator Durbin has…

The fact that we have this Subcommittee is a testament to your leadership in making clear that civil and human rights are going to be a priority of the U.S. Senate.

Civil rights is the great unfinished business of America.

When Congress returns to session on Monday, April 16, 2012, we will recognize an important anniversary and holiday here in Washington. That day will be the 150th anniversary of District of Columbia Emancipation Day. Nine months before…

Reserving the right to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.

Reserving the right to object, and I was listening to the distinguished Republican leader, let me challenge some of the assumptions so maybe we can get to a consent. In talking to Members of the House of Representatives, I am very…

I want to share the concern that Senator Snowe has raised on the efficiencies of our credit programs to help small business.

I just want you to know that we want to continue that moving forward and would ask that you would make that information available to my office.

I want to thank you for your service. In the three years that you have been there under the Obama Administration, we have seen dramatic improvement on the SBA as an advocate for small business.

I want to concur with Senator Schumer about his comments on the passage of Senator Menendez's legislation, S. 2204. This legislation is very important for America's energy needs, and I urge my colleagues to allow us to take up this…

I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Merkley). The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.

I rise today to discuss the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the larger issue of racial profiling. On Monday I spoke about this issue at the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore. Joining me were representatives from various faith and…

today I am introducing a joint resolution which would remove the deadline for the states' ratification of the equal rights amendment, ERA. I thank Senators Boxer, Durbin, Gillibrand, Harkin, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Menendez, and Mikulski for…