Thank you, Mr. President. It has been 11 years since a Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill has been considered on the Senate floor, so let me begin my remarks this morning by commending the chairman and…

It truly is miraculous work that they are doing and it is so exciting to me.

I continue to claim you as my cousin and I hope you will not disabuse others.

as a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, let me begin my remarks by thanking Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Durbin, as well as Vice Chairman Leahy, for their leadership on the committee and their advocacy for the men and…

I ask unanimous consent that my defense fellow, John-Paul Mantone, be granted floor privileges for the length of the current debate on the appropriations bills that are before us. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

as we near completion of the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, which has been included in the appropriations package before this Chamber, I wish to thank all of my…

I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to proceed with a closing statement for up to 3 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I call up the following amendments and ask unanimous consent that they be reported by number: No. 3464, No. 3522, No. 3524, and No. 3402. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the…

in 1959, a new summer playhouse opened in Brunswick, ME, with a performance of the popular operetta ``Song of Norway.'' In 2018, the Maine State Music Theater presents its 60th season with professional productions that range from ``Singin'…

I rise to urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment offered by the Senator from Kentucky. Make no mistake about what this amendment would do. It is an 11.4- percent, across-the-board, indiscriminate, meat-ax cut in important programs, and…

I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up and reported by number: Senator Manchin's amendment No. 3553, Senator Paul's amendment No. 3543. I further ask consent that at 5:45 p.m. today, the Senate vote in relation…

I commend the Senators who are the authors of this amendment. The Senator from Kansas, Mr. Moran, has discussed this issue with me many times, as have the Senators from New Mexico who feel very strongly about it as well. I know the…

Aren't we risking doing tremendous damage to our own domestic industries by using the national security justification against some of our closest allies?

I ask for the yeas and nays. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk called the roll.

we are continuing to make progress on this package of appropriations bills. Speaking for the managers on this side of the aisle--the Republican chairman of the subcommittee--I request that our colleagues file amendments at the desk by 1…

China is admittedly a very bad actor when it comes to trade, but we have to be sure that the actions we take don't end up hurting our own domestic producers.

I rise to speak on my resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day. I am pleased to have been joined in sponsoring this resolution by the senior senator from West Virginia, Senator Manchin, and 22 of…

I rise in support of Senator Durbin and Senator Wicker's amendment. It would direct the Amtrak inspector general to update a report from 10 years ago that examined Amtrak's on- time performance. Some Amtrak routes, particularly along…

I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up en bloc: Heller amendment No. 3405 and Durbin amendment No. 3422. I further ask consent that at 2:15 p.m. today, there be 5 minutes of debate, equally divided in the usual…

before the two Senators from Missouri leave the floor, let me express my personal condolences to them, which I know are shared by each and every Member of this body. The tragedy in Missouri is absolutely heartbreaking for the families, for…

I am pleased to begin the Senate debate on the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Our bill has been included in the appropriations package now before this Chamber…

It seems to me there are perverse conflicts of interest in the way this whole system works, in addition to a lack of transparency.

It was very unfortunate that the Ranking Member... chose to block those bills.

Ensuring that more Americans are better prepared financially for retirement is one of my top priorities. That is why I rise today to introduce the SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act with my colleague from Virginia, Senator Mark Warner. Our…

I am pleased to introduce with my colleague from Alabama, Senator Jones, the Taxpayer Identity Protection Act of 2018, a bill that seeks to help prevent American taxpayers and seniors from falling victim to identity theft and tax refund…