If I am confirmed, the issue of human rights and promotion of democracy will be a critical element of my mission.

The situation of the Roma may present the most serious human rights issues in Bulgaria.

The Cardin-Lugar amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act set a new standard for transparency in extractive industries.

I particularly mention Estonia, because Estonia has been a successful country in using the OSCE format in dealing with its Russian-speaking minority.

I would just underscore the issue of qualification of opposition candidates. That has been used in too many European countries as a way of trying to block opposition opportunities.

There appears to be a willingness to talk more openly about these issues, and Serbia is trying to become the leader; chair an office in the OSCE.

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

as we start Black History Month, I rise to discuss a national hero I have spoken about many times on the Senate floor. With this year's Black History Month focused on African-American women, it is all the more appropriate for me to talk…

today I rise to honor former Czech President and renowned human rights activist Vaclav Havel. Vaclav Havel died last month, and I was sad to note that the news of his death was overshadowed by not only the holidays but also by media…

I join Senator Mikulski in my enthusiastic support for his confirmation.

Like Senator Durbin, we have a nonpartisan process to try to get the very best on the Federal bench.

I strongly encourage the Committee to report out his nomination. He has my strong support.

This is a family commitment.

today I am pleased to introduce the Democracy Restoration Act. The Democracy Restoration Act, or DRA, had been introduced in previous Congresses by former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and I am proud to follow his example. I want to…

it is time for Republicans to end their war on dedicated, hard-working middle-class Federal employees. Who are these Federal workers? They are the Veterans' Administration's nursing assistants who care for our wounded warriors; the…

Mike McFaul is as qualified as anyone could be to serve as Ambassador to Russia.

We are absolutely clear that more needs to be done.

The United States must be in the leadership in this regard.

it's going to be more hard-line on the human rights advancements and that it even puts more of a spotlight in importance on how we deal internationally with the human rights dimension.

Congressional calls for travel restrictions against officials responsible for his death have helped keep global attention focused on this case.

I think we are in agreement on many of those issues.

I agree with Senator Corker that it should be lifted, and it will only hurt ourselves if we don't lift it.

I would hope that what we have learned from that experience is that we have to set the bar higher when we have opportunities to advance human rights.

Secretary Clinton has characterized the December 4 elections as neither fair nor free, and I agree with her.

One thing I really want to see the administration do is to make an active effort to persuade the European Union to adopt similar measures.