I understand that there are four bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bills by title for the first time. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1513) to…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 335; that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no…

I wish to commend the Summit Project and its leader Maj. David Cote for their meaningful effort to sustain and honor the memories of Maine's veterans who have fallen since September 11, 2001. Founded on Memorial Day, 2013, the Summit…

I would like to offer a few words on a bill that I am introducing today with my colleague and friend, Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri. Upon my arrival to the Senate, Senator Blunt and I shared a conversation in which we discovered our…

I rise to speak on the student loan issue, and my time should be allocated to the time of Senator Alexander. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.

we have been hearing really two debates around here the last few days--in fact, over the last few days and months--about student loans. Both are important, but they are separate, and I think they need to be separate and thought of as two…

Maine was a forerunner in the one-to-one computing trend with then-Governor Angus King working hard to provide all our middle-school students with laptop computers.

Our students need one-on-one personal devices.

Who is in charge of the clattering train? The axles creak and the couplings strain, And the pace is hot and the points are near, And sleep hath deadened the driver's ear, And the signals flash through the night in vain, For death is in…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Honoring Maine Volunteer Firefighters

I thank Senator Collins for her work on this issue. During the last logging season, 79 logging workers were granted H-2A visas for work in Maine. They were able to do this because the Department of Labor included logging employment as a…

I would like to discuss my J-1 visa amendment to the immigration bill, which was incorporated into the Corker-Hoeven amendment. The purpose of the amendment is to increase transparency and accountability of exchange visitor programs that…

I don't have a great deal to add to Senator Manchin's comments except to point out that everyone in this body wants to do best by our students. Everyone understands the importance of education, everyone understands how expensive it is, and…

I rise in morning business, and I request unanimous consent for 15 minutes for remarks. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Battle of Gettysburg

We all know that next Thursday, a week from tomorrow, is our Nation's most important anniversary--July 4, 1776, the birthday of the country. But Tuesday, July 2, is also one of our most important anniversaries because July 1, 2, and 3 are…

I rise in sadness because America and the State of Maine lost a friend yesterday, one of my predecessors in this office, Senator Bill Hathaway, who served 14 years in the Congress, 8 in the House and 6 in the Senate, from 1973 to 1978. I…

I quote: He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new…

I further ask that the committee-reported substitute be considered; the Grassley amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the substitute, as amended, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; and the…

There will be up to four rollcall votes at 3 p.m. in relation to the amendments to the immigration bill tomorrow. ____________________

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:15 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 10 a.m.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 75, S. 330. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 330) to amend the…

I thank the Senator. Again I truly appreciate the attention to this issue and look forward to working with you and USDA in the implementation of this legislation to support the important forest products industry which has been an integral…

I appreciate the opportunity to talk with the Chairman today to get clarity about the products that will be included in the USDA Biobased Markets Program. The Senator's hard work and vision on the issue of innovation in natural resources…

Let me give the Senator an example of a forest products manufacturer in my home state that I believe is incredibly innovative in how they grow and source their materials for their products. Verso Paper Company has 1600 employees at their…