A diverse court is essential, essential for Americans' trust in an impartial judiciary and vital for the help of our democratic institutions.

now on to business, in no time at all, the House Republicans are off to the rockiest start of any new majority in recent memory. Have you ever seen anything like this? We aren't even a month into the new Congress, and already the House GOP…

Now, Mr. President, just a few moments before you assumed the Chair, Senator Murray opened the Senate as President pro tempore for the first time. Kudos, congratulations. She is a great, great Member. She is the chair of Appropriations and…

today the thoughts of the Senate are with the people of Monterey Park, CA, as they heal from this weekend's tragic and terrible shooting. What should have been a weekend of joy and celebration within the AAPI community as they celebrate…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 548, S. 3046. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 663, S. 4321. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: No. 763, No. 1136, No. 1153, No. 1169; further, that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5357, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of S. 4105 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

this is one of the most significant appropriations packages we have done in a very long time. The range of people it helps is large and deep. After a lot of hard work and compromise, the Senate is funding the government with an aggressive…

I want to thank Senator Menendez and Senator Cotton--another good example of bipartisan progress. Families have been left out, in several different instances, who are victims of terrorism, who have had relatives who were victims of…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1082, which was received from the House and is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant…

first, I want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Gillibrand for the great work she has done championing the 9/11 responder and survivor health fund. We know how many people sacrificed. We know how they ran to the towers when they…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of S. 3873 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

I ask unanimous consent that the 60-vote threshold be vitiated with respect to this amendment. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The question is on agreeing to the amendment, as modified. The amendment (No…

I ask unanimous consent to modify amendment Nos. 6607 and 6596--to modify the instruction lines. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendments are as follows: amendment no. 6607, as modified (Purpose: To…

we are about to have a vote on final passage. Senator Leahy will speak for no more than 2 minutes; Senator Shelby, for no more than 2; I will speak for less than a minute. Members should be advised, there may, may not, be a vote on three…

this is a great example--this very important bill--of how this body can work in a bipartisan way and get things done. I want to salute Senators Casey and Cassidy for their diligence and relentlessness. I want to thank Senators Murray and…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment Nos. 6561, 6555, 6559, 6621, 6563, 6576, 6577, 6569, 6558, 6588, 6596, 6595, 6597, 6607, 6617…

we have an agreement now. We will vote on all of the amendments in order and then vote on final passage. It has taken a while, but it is worth it. And I appreciate the cooperation of everyone here. The first vote will take a while, until…

I ask unanimous consent that the following be the only matters remaining in order to the House message with respect to H.R. 2617; that the amendments be called up en bloc, reported by number, and considered in order: Paul, No. 6561, and a…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 3873) was…

it was very late last night for those of us who were here and the staff. At 2 a.m. is when we finished, 2:01, to try to reach an agreement on finishing the omnibus bill. We are getting ever closer to reaching an agreement, but we are still…

that one was 11. We are making progress. Will Members please sit in their seats when called and speak loudly so the clerk can hear how you vote. That will speed things up a little more. Maybe we can even break the 10-minute mark. The…