I find abuses, the way I have seen in recent years, on holds placed on confirmation process, and holds placed on uncontroversial items, to be used as leverage elsewhere.

Once you open that Pandora's box, it was just a matter of time before a Senate leader who could not get his way on something moved to eliminate the filibuster for regular business as well, and that, simply put, would be the end of the…

I hope that we don't get in the tradition of filibustering judicial nominees.

One Senator shouldn't be able to place holds on people forever.

I do not believe the answer to this problem necessarily lies in lowering the 60-vote threshold to break the filibuster.

America today lost a civil rights icon. Dorothy Height died early this morning. She helped transform our country as considerably and as courageously as anyone who dedicated his or her life to ensure our Nation fulfills its promise of…

Wall Street reform is very complex. Few of us are experts in derivative trading or credit default swaps or even the intricacies of securities. But the principle before us is a very simple one, in spite of all these very complicated issues…

I rise today to honor one of Nevada's greatest champions and advocates for victims throughout my home State. In her living room in Las Vegas, NV, in 1974, Florence McClure cofounded Community Action Against Rape, CAAR, with Sandi Petta…

Holding these huge banks accountable for the enormous economic crisis of recent years is about more than dollars and cents. It is about fairness and justice. It is also about learning lessons from the mistakes of the past so we are not…

I rise today in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During the month of April, I urge my colleagues and Americans around the country to reflect on the effects of sexual assault and domestic violence in their communities and to…

Today, with this moment of silence, we are going to honor the people of Poland because of the tragedy that occurred there a few days ago. I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Poland. That plane carried 96 souls--parents…

I would like to say, recognizing that she is here, that one of the remarkable moments of my career was a time a number of years ago when we were in Poland. The delegation was led by Senator John Glenn, and we were meeting with a number of…

things were very hectic when the health care legislation passed. At the end of that work period, I acknowledged the contribution of several staff members to helping Congress pass health care reform--the most significant domestic policy…

I wish to extend my appreciation to our Chaplain, Admiral Black. He has been so concerned about my family as a result of the accident that occurred in the Presiding Officer's State. He has communicated with my wife personally, he has…

I rise today to show my profound appreciation for the actions of five young Americans who comprise this year's School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award recipients as chosen by the American Automobile Association. In 1920, the American…

I wish to extend my personal condolences to those who suffered the two tragedies while we were back home--one here in America and one halfway around the world. The mining tragedy in West Virginia hit home for me. It brought back a lot of…

last December, just minutes before the Senate passed the health care reform bill that President Obama signed into law last month, my friend, the Republican leader, predicted we would get an earful when we got home, and he was right…

I rise today to call attention to the importance of quality early childhood education programs throughout our country that promote and support the growth and development of our Nation's youngest citizens. Research has shown that the…

the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was historic. In addition to providing coverage and lowering health insurance costs for millions of Americans, the legislation will truly transform how care is delivered in the…

I rise today to recognize the ninth annual Cowboy Poetry Week, which will be celebrated from April 18 to 24, 2010. Across the Western States, in public libraries, museums, and over the airwaves, cowboy poets and cowboy poetry enthusiasts…

I regret that my Republican colleagues have once again objected to giving out-of-work Americans the unemployment and health benefits they need. Since they have evidently forgotten, I remind them that unemployment is high in every one of…

I rise today with my good friend Senator Ensign to introduce the Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act of 2010. As you may know, the Federal Government manages more than 87 percent of the land in Nevada, which equates to more than 61…

I rise today to honor the work of Judy Treichel, a true and dedicated public servant. Over two decades ago, the Federal Government decided to dump the country's nuclear waste in the Nevada desert, ignoring the opposition of most Nevadans…

I rise today to honor Ms. Rose Gordon of Reno, NV. Ms. Gordon is a dedicated social worker and public servant who has devoted much of her life to serving the people of Nevada, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented. Her…

my focus is on this legislation, and I know there are other things we have to deal with before we leave, but I am not concerned about those at this stage. I want to finish this legislation, and I want to do that as quickly as we can. So I…