the vitally important Export-Import Bank expires at the end of June. It will be gone. If this program expires-- it is not like anything else--we will have to start all over again. We will have to have hearings. We will have to have markups…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lankford). Without objection, it is so ordered. Export-Import Bank

we have heard so much about how great the Republicans are doing here, about how well things are working now. We are doing no nominations--none. We are 5 months into this Congress, and we basically approved virtually no one. It is…

it seems as if every day the majority leader keeps telling us how great the Senate is working--better than ever, he says. Let's take a look at a couple of things today. The growing backlog on nominations is another story. There are more…

``America is one big pothole.'' Those are not my words. They are the words of former Republican Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, a longtime Member of Congress and a Republican from Illinois. That is how he described America's…

I announce that the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) and the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) are necessarily absent. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lankford). Are there any other Senators in the Chamber desiring to vote? The result was…

on behalf of the entire Democratic caucus, I wish to extend my accolades, my admiration for the persistence and integrity of Senator Whitehouse. This is an issue that speaks well of him and our entire country, and I am very proud of the…

reserving the right to object, first of all, I haven't had the opportunity to express my appreciation for the hard, hard work of the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Finance. The senior Senator from Oregon has gone through a…

I see no one on the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

my friend, the Republican leader, must be in denial to come to the floor and talk about ObamaCare the way he did. He is neglecting the facts. I will only repeat a few of them. No. 1, there are 17 million people who now have health…

yesterday the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly--with approximately 330 votes--to end the bulk collection of Americans' phone records. Last week a Federal court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled that the Federal…

as I said yesterday, my heart goes out to those who suffered in the terrible accident of Amtrak's Northeast Regional Train No. 188, on Tuesday night at 9 p.m., when the accident occurred. As we now know, the train was going more than 100…

last week there were celebrations all around the world celebrating the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Here in our Nation's capital, we celebrated the day that Europe was officially liberated. Just outside of the Capitol, dozens…

we have heard the expressions ``red herring'' and ``loss leader,'' all these terms that try to focus attention someplace where it shouldn't be focused. That is basically what the Republican leader has done this morning. He, of course…

Reserving the right to object, Mr. President. First of all, I want to take just a very brief minute and express my appreciation to all my Democratic colleagues who have been understanding and vocal in their opinions as to what we should do…

I want to say a brief word about something I mentioned as I started my remarks. My friend, the Republican leader, has stated that the extreme left is causing a problem on this bill. It is not the extreme left. It is Democrats who are…

I join with the majority leader in extending my thoughts to the terrible situation in Pennsylvania. That accident occurred last night at 9 p.m. We now have six reported dead and many, many more injured. There were about 300 people on that…

my friend, the majority leader, has one person to blame for our not being on the floor now debating this important piece of legislation, and that person is the majority leader. The next time he looks in the mirror, he can understand who is…

yesterday the National Football League punished one of its most recognizable players for allegedly having tampered with game balls. I find it stunning that the National Football League is more concerned about how much air is in a football…

one word before my friend from Oregon is recognized-- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, that is exactly what Senator Schumer said in committee, what I just read. That was what Senator Schumer said in…

we know that later today the Senate will vote on whether to move forward with consideration of trade legislation. What we do not know, other than what the leader just said, is what is going to be in the matter before us. It seems to me he…

Senator Schumer has been involved in the currency issue from basically the time he came to the Senate. It has been an important issue for him, and he can speak for himself. I am not an expert on the bill, and I don't intend to debate…

I must comment on some of the statements that my friend the Republican leader has made. We have been able to accomplish a few things during this work period, and the reason we have been able to do so is that we, the minority, have…

I rise today to recognize the 10th Annual Sennoras of Excellence and Sennores of Distinction Awards Gala hosted by the Foundation for Excellence and Distinction in Las Vegas, NV. The Foundation for Excellence and Distinction was created by…

I do not care. I would just like to know. That is fine. I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Indiana be recognized for up to 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.