I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lee). Without objection, it is so ordered. Nomination of Merrick Garland

it has been 189 days since President Obama nominated a distinguished jurist, Merrick Garland, to the U.S. Supreme Court. I know there are a lot of issues on people's minds every day because they are working hard and taking the kids to…

it has been 187 days since President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. That is a long time. Since March 16, we have been waiting for a hearing. It is really extraordinary when you think how long we have seen the third…

Let me turn back now around food security here at home. You know the farm bill, among many, many, many things, is about providing safety, and that is both for farmers, whether it is livestock disaster assistance... or whether it is…

I think one of the important things that we did that is a real legacy, as we look at the importance of agricultural research, is the Foundation, putting together something that will last longer than all of us and a public-private…

Whenever I think about the work of the CFTC, I never forget that eight million hardworking Americans lost their jobs because of financial markets that got out of control.

I rise to speak about legislation that is currently on the floor, the Water Resources Development Act. I start by thanking a great legislative team of opposites who come together--and when they do they get things done--that is, Senator…

I thank the leader as well and thank colleagues, Senator Inhofe and Senator Boxer, for working in good faith, as they usually do, in coming up with a bill that addresses multiple issues that are very important to Members--certainly us in…

might I take just 1 minute as well? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

I thank the Senator from Wisconsin for engaging on this issue and seeking clarification on this point. S. 764 amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. S. 764 does not amend the Organic Foods Production Act or its rules or…

No, the bill does not prohibit the labeling of products developed using gene editing techniques, including RNAi and CRISPR. Additionally, the bill gives the USDA broad authority to periodically amend its labeling regulations to ensure that…

I thank the Senator from Vermont for joining me in this colloquy for the purpose of bringing greater clarity to the definition included in this bill and the scope of GMO products that could be labeled. The intent of this legislation is to…

We all want very much for people to receive the best health care possible, and we know that a health-care payment system that rewards doctors for doing their job also improves patient outcomes and saves taxpayer money.

I think for nearly 30 years the Stark Act has been focused on rooting out fraud and preventing overutilization and protecting the Medicare program financially.

Thank you, Mr. President. I couldn't agree more with my friend from Connecticut. I think probably 99 percent of the time we are voting the same way. There are good people on both sides of this discussion. There is a lot of emotion, and I…

first I wish to thank the chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. We had some tough negotiations on this issue, and I think we have come to a place that makes sense for farmers and the food industry, as well as…

Excuse me. I am sorry. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Parliamentary inquiry. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader. Mr. McCONNELL. If I were to offer the Roberts amendment that will be a complete substitute for the underlying language…

I am concerned that the scope of the current proposal seems broader than is typical of a demonstration project, and just to underscore the concerns that have been raised about rural communities, I also share those.

It is not a very good system when somebody has to call their U.S. Senator to intervene for them to get the medicine that they need to be able to save their life.

I have heard from three constituents in the last few months that have had Hepatitis C.

I understand the proposal is intended to drive providers toward prescribing more generic drugs in order to produce cost savings, and I fully support that objective.

today marks the 99th day since President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court--99 days. Yet Republican colleagues continue to refuse to do their constitutional duty and act on the nomination. Just this week, we…

If I might just again clarify with the distinguished Senator, so we are all clear. Right now, an individual can be stopped from getting on an airplane----

Well, I thank the Senator, and I appreciate the junior Senator from Connecticut for yielding for a question. I first want to thank Senator Murphy and the senior Senator from Connecticut, the Senator from New Jersey, and so many others who…

I thank my colleague. I wonder if I might just ask something, in addition to that. I understand our distinguished leader on appropriations, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Nelson as well, have an amendment that would give law enforcement the…