first, some good news. As the majority leader noted, Senators Klobuchar and Blunt have agreed on legislation to overhaul the way Congress handles workplace claims to protect staff and others from harassment. It certainly needed an…

Finally, Mr. President, gas prices. Few things matter more to the average consumer than the price of a gallon of gasoline. When gas prices go through the roof, it eats away at a family's income, leaving less to cover the cost of anything…

first let me thank my friend from Georgia for being able to go first and also thank my friend from Illinois, who has been passionate, strong, and effective when it comes to these for- profit colleges. He laid out a strong case. Let me just…

on Friday morning there was yet another shooting in a school in America. Another community was torn apart by senseless violence. It was another week when parents must bury their children. We are still learning the tragic details of what…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Recognition of the Minority Leader The Democratic leader is recognized.

I ask unanimous consent to use leader time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Thank you, Madam President. Before I get into the substance of my remarks, I always listen diligently to my friend from Kentucky. There is a number that is missing in his charts; it is 1.5 trillion. The reason we don't like government…

this week is National Police Week. It is a time to honor the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our streets safe. Every morning, police officers all across the country wake up, put on their uniform…

as the minority, we typically cannot move legislation on the floor without the consent of the majority leader. But under the rules governing congressional review, any group of 30 Senators can petition to discharge a CRA--a Congressional…

the Judiciary Committee announced that it would be voting on a slate of judicial nominees including Andrew Oldham, a nominee for the Fifth Circuit, and Wendy Vitter, a nominee for the Eastern District of Louisiana. We prize the quality of…

first, I recently heard that my dear friend Harry Reid has just gotten out of an operation to treat pancreatic cancer. I have spoken to his family, and it seems that everything went very well with the operation. The doctors say pancreatic…

later today the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Michael Brennan to the Seventh Circuit over the objections of one of his home-State Senators, Ms. Baldwin, who has not returned a blue slip on his nomination. It is an abject breach…

secondly, I would like to address the news this morning that Secretary of State Pompeo will be returning from North Korea with the three Americans who were held there against their will. We are all glad to see them returning home. Their…

now, there is one final topic--net neutrality. Later today, Democrats will take the Senate another step toward the consideration of a resolution to restore net neutrality. When the Republican-led FCC voted to repeal net neutrality in…

in a few hours, the Senate will vote to proceed to the nomination of Michael Brennan to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Brennan has not received a blue slip--that is a notice of approval that has been a tradition in the…

Thank you, Mr. President. First, I want to spend a moment in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week. I am sure everyone here remembers a teacher who inspired them, challenged them, and propelled them to greater heights. I will never…

on the subject of healthcare, last week, insurance companies in the State of Virginia announced that health insurance premiums would be much higher this coming year. More than 100,000 Virginians who rely on these plans are staring at a…

we recently received some terribly bad news. Michael Beaver, the Assistant Parliamentarian of the Senate, passed away unexpectedly last week. His death at the young age of 39 is shocking in its suddenness and tragic for the family…

finally, a word on the Republican tax bill. From the very beginning of our debate on taxes, Republicans insisted that their bill was about helping the American worker, even though the GOP tax bill directs 83 percent of its benefits to the…

on another matter, as the Senate returns to work after the recess, we are scheduled to process six circuit court judges over the next few weeks. Some of these judges are noncontroversial and have received support from their home State…

I watched the President on TV this morning, and like most Americans, so many Americans, I was aghast. The President seems to live in an alternative reality. He says things that are patently false, and he thinks that just by saying them…

Thank you. I appreciate very much the remarks of my friend from Kansas. I hope these sprouts of bipartisanship can grow into mighty oaks. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.

reserving the right to object, I certainly have a great deal of respect for my friends from Missouri and Oklahoma and their desire to increase transparency in government. I share that goal. But, respectfully, the legislation they are…

before I begin, I want to welcome the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who just finished his address before a joint meeting of Congress. His words were timely, particularly his admonition to reject false idols of our time…

the Rules Committee will mark up Senator Lankford's resolution tomorrow to change the rules on the consideration of nominees to benefit the Senate majority. Of course, the majority in the Senate can already approve of a nomination on a…