It would be irresponsible to ignore the Nation's expanding health care needs.

FLTFA is a common-sense lands tool that achieves economic and environmental goals.

I respectfully urge the subcommittee's support for S. 27. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this statement.

We urge you to advance S. 368 quickly through Committee and pass it in the Senate.

this resolution concerns a pro se civil action filed in Kentucky federal district court against Senator McConnell, Vice President Biden, and Senate Sergeant at Arms Gainer. Plaintiff claims that the Senate cloture rule is unconstitutional…

following leader remarks the Senate will resume consideration of the gun safety legislation. The time until noon will be equally divided and controlled for debate on the Barrasso and Harkin amendments. At noon there with be two votes in…

we deal with a lot of controversial things. That is the way it has always been here. We deal with controversial issues that elicit passionate responses, including the immigration proposal I just outlined and the antiviolence legislation I…

the Senate suffered a notable and stunning defeat of bipartisanship this week during the debate over background checks. They said a week ago we would never get on the bill, but the Senate joined together and we got on the bill. Then…

I have a cloture motion at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The bill clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned…

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 41, S. 743. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The bill clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 41, S. 743, a bill to restore States' sovereign…

this Nation has simply dealt with too much-- too much--loss during these last few months. Once again I offer my condolences to the families who joined us here yesterday to honor the loved ones they lost to gun violence and to lobby for…

there was a new tragedy during the night, and our thoughts are with the people of West, TX. Our thoughts are with all of Texas in the wake of a terrible explosion of a fertilizer factory in the town, as I have indicated, of West, just…

this bears repeating: We knew all along that efforts to pass stronger background checks and keep guns out of the hands of criminals wouldn't be easy, and it hasn't been. But keeping America's streets safe from gun violence is worth the…

I ask unanimous consent that following leader remarks tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, the Senate resume consideration of S. 649; that the time until noon be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees for debate…

if I could have order, we are going to have three more votes tonight, and we are going to finish a number of things that have already been scheduled on this legislation tomorrow. Senator McConnell and I will meet in the meantime to decide…

following leader remarks this morning the Senate will resume consideration of the gun safety legislation. Under an agreement reached yesterday, the debate time until 4 p.m. will be equally divided between the two leaders or their…

today this august body will honor the memory of 20 first grade children. Little babies were gunned down, most of them shot multiple times. But we will also honor the teachers and administrators who were killed that day in Newtown, CT. We…

this is very important. This good man who was treated so poorly is now going to have his name cleared, to a certain extent, and I give most of the credit to Senator John McCain who has worked tirelessly on this for a long time. I am glad…

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 5, and the Senate proceed to its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report…

I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which the Manchin amendment No. 715 was not agreed to. The VICE PRESIDENT. The motion is entered. Amendment No. 725 There is now 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to…

I would object to any further proceedings in regard to this bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 18, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be…

I am told that S. 743 is due for a second reading. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the title of the bill for the second time. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 743) to restore States'…

I ask unanimous consent that on Thursday, April 18, at 2 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 22 and 23; that there be 15 minutes for debate, equally divided in the usual form prior to votes on the…

I ask unanimous consent the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…