last Friday, as he should, President Obama gave the Nation an update on the fight against Zika, this virus that has become such a difficult issue to face. Here are the facts, as outlined by President Obama and reported by the Centers for…

I join my friend the Republican leader in congratulating Marvin Simms on his well-deserved retirement next week, after more than 30 years working in the Senate Recording Studio. He has been involved in so many of the things I have done in…

reserving the right to object, as I have stated on the record many times, I have great admiration for the Senator from Arizona. We came together to the House, came together to the Senate. But I have to say, it is obvious my friend has a…

I come to the floor today not to talk about a political issue, in the real sense of the word--not Democrat versus Republican--but a very difficult sensitive issue. It is hard to talk about, but we as a nation can't keep ignoring this…

I yield the remainder of the time on this side. The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time is yielded back. Cloture Motion Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state. The senior…

it wasn't because of the good graces of the Members of the Republican Senate that President Obama took the money from Ebola and put it into fighting the problems we have with Zika. The President asked for this money 3 months ago. They took…

I have had a long, pleasant relationship with the senior Senator from Florida. We served in the House together. We have served in the Senate together. I have great admiration for him and his loving wife Grace, and I am happy to be on the…

again the senior Senator from Kentucky complains about the fact that the most senior member of the Senate, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Pat Leahy, is going to have a meeting today, and he has invited all the…

my friend, the Republican leader, continues to complain about ObamaCare. This has been the mantra of the Republicans since it passed. But the true facts are these: ObamaCare has reduced the number of uninsured to the lowest rate since we…

I don't know what my friend from Texas is going to tell the people from Texas this summer when there is no money available. We heard the Senator from Florida talk about the need for local governments to prepare for this virus. Some of this…

today is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This day of recognition is especially significant for America since the civil rights of transgender Americans are at the forefront of an important national debate. At its core…

yesterday, the Supreme Court chose not to rule on the merits of Zubik v. Burwell, a case brought by religiously affiliated nonprofit employers challenging the accommodation to the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage provision…

I join the Republican leader in recognizing the contributions of law enforcement officers all around this country. I am sorry that they have such a tough job, and I don't think we appreciate them enough. So I appreciate what the Republican…

what we know today is that the Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda. It was first detected in monkeys, but in 1947 they also learned that the mosquito was now carrying this same virus the monkeys had. Initially, we didn't know…

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 2924 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…

today the Republican Presidential nominee-- it is hard for me to say these words--Donald Trump, comes to Capitol Hill. He secured the party's nomination. He did that last week. Donald Trump will meet privately today with Speaker Ryan and…

I ask unanimous consent that the time of the Republicans and the Democrats be preserved. No one is here, but we should preserve that time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I think the order already is that the time will be equally divided. If that is not the case, I ask that that be the case. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk…

it is interesting to hear my friend fictionalize what is going on in the world economy and in our American economy especially. We all know that when President Obama took office--the month after he was elected in November, 8 years ago--the…

last week, the senior Senator from Iowa confirmed what Democrats have said all along: Senate Republicans want Donald Trump to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. I am sorry to direct my attention to the Presiding Officer, but I can't imagine…

I suggest the absence of a quorum, but I ask that the time be charged equally to both sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Brad Hatcher, who is serving as my legislative fellow for defense issues this year, has done a terrific job. We are so fortunate to have the military we do have, and he exemplifies that. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that Brad Hatcher, who is serving as my legislative fellow for defense issues this year, be granted privileges of the floor for the duration of 2016. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 2903 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of…

today I wish to recognize the career of Dr. James ``Jim'' Richardson, who is retiring from the University of Nevada, Reno, UNR, this year. Dr. Richardson is stepping down from his positions as director of judicial studies and foundation…