first, let me thank my good friend from Illinois for, as usual, his articulate, compassionate, and outstanding work and for the great job he and others did yesterday when they invited the people here. I reiterate just what the Senator from…

on the budget, yesterday morning the Trump administration released their 2018 budget. The document is stunning in its cruelty. It takes a sledgehammer to the middle class, the working poor, while lavishing tax breaks on the very wealthy…

yesterday former CIA Director John Brennan testified in the House Intelligence Committee that he had growing concerns about Russian interference in the final months of the 2016 election, adding that an investigation into potential…

Finally, Mr. President, a word on healthcare: The Republican attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, combined with the Trump administration's refusal to commit to making key cost-sharing payments that help keep healthcare…

first, the Senate's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Manchester, England. Such violence is particularly heartbreaking when it happens, as it did in Manchester, at a concert with so many young people there to enjoy. We mourn the…

since last week's all-Senators briefing with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, some of my friends on the other side of the aisle have alleged that his appointment of a special counsel impedes the congressional investigation into…

last night, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 elections. This was a very good first step. Mr…

Now, on another matter, Mr. President, criminal justice reform. Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered Federal prosecutors to ``charge and pursue the most serious readily provable offense,'' even for low-level drug crimes…

I just heard that our friend and colleague from North Carolina has collapsed during a race in DC and is receiving medical attention. Until we hear further news, our hearts will be in our mouths, hoping for the best. Our thoughts and…

I ask unanimous consent that the time during the quorum call be charged equally to both sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

in a week full of revelation after revelation, on a day when we thought things couldn't get any worse, they have. I was shaken by the report in the New York Times that alleged that the President tried to shut down an active FBI…

by now we have all had the chance to read the report in the Washington Post that alleges stunning behavior on the part of the President in a meeting with the Russian Ambassador and Russian Foreign Minister. According to the report, the…

first let me thank my friend and colleague from Iowa for letting me go forward. The two Charles in the Senate work together whenever we can.

The country is being tested in unprecedented ways. History is watching.

just a word on the majority's use of the Congressional Review Act. The window for using the CRA is closing this week. I heard the majority leader touting the 13 CRAs the majority passed this year. I want to make two points. First, despite…

the dismissal of Director Comey has raised a bevy of troubling questions over the last few days. The President of the United States fired the man in charge of an active investigation about the President and his campaign ties to Russia. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. All-Senators Briefings

before the Senate adjourns for the weekend, I wish to address a few things related to the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey. The story coming out of the White House about why Mr. Comey was fired continues to change and there are no…

yesterday the President fired the Director of the FBI, Jim Comey, who was leading an active investigation into the Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russia. The President provided no reasoning for the firing other than he had the…

Thank you, Mr. President. First, I want to thank my colleague from Colorado for his outstanding remarks and, even much more important, the work on the methane CRA. Much is happening today, and not many people paid much attention, I guess…

Given that we have no path forward on the horrible and momentous events of last night from the majority, I am constrained to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

This is part of a deeply troubling pattern from the Trump administration.

first I wish to thank my friend and our great Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey, for the great work he has done on the opioid issue. He was one of the first to sound the alarm when prescription drugs just began to be overprescribed…

first I want to thank the majority leader for speaking about the agreement that the House and Senate came to on the appropriations bills, the spending bills. We may not agree on emphasis and what the most important things are, but we…

yesterday afternoon the House approved the Omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government through September. The bill is the result of weeks and weeks of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, and the final product reflects the…