I think to let them wait means a lot of things will not happen.

There is a different political climate as well.

We have to have this debate. We are not going to be able to delay these choices indefinitely.

In my State, I imagine in some others--certainly in Senator Menendez's, Senator Kerry's, Senator Cantwell's States--there are a lot of people who make above $250,000 who are not rich.

I want to say first, I think the budget the President proposed is a very good budget on both the tax side and the spending side.

I rise today in support of the Paying a Fair Share Act, also known as the Buffett rule. This legislation, introduced yesterday by my good friend from Rhode Island, highlights an important conversation about fairness and tax policy in this…

I am happy to see he is fulfilling his duties as first Director of this historic new Bureau, one that I and several Members of the Committee fought hard for and will be one of the lasting legacies of Dodd-Frank with a real chance to…

I rise today to again call for increased disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures so the American people are informed about who is spending in our elections. I thank my colleagues from Oregon, Senator Wyden and Senator…

I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to speak immediately after Senator Wyden for no more than 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

let me wish you and your family and all those who work here a merry Christmas and happy new year. I hope God gives you and your families a very good, outstanding, happy, healthy new year. I wish to speak on William Boarman's appointment as…

I just listened with great eagerness to the discussion between the majority leader and the Republican leader, and I would like to make two points here and then several subsidiary points. We need to do two things before we leave: We need to…

Agreed. The Senator from Missouri is exactly correct. If we voted, it would move the process of both funding the government-- very important--and getting middle-class tax relief--also very important--forward. Mrs. McCASKILL. Well, I would…

So are we all. Mrs. McCASKILL. Why would the Republicans not let us vote on their bill?

I would be happy to yield to my colleague. Mrs. McCASKILL. I am confused. The House passed a bill last night and has sent it to the Senate. Correct?

Reclaiming my time, I would accept the modification of my argument made by the Senator from Missouri. The point, of course, we both agree on is we ought to vote. We ought to do it to show the world, whether it is the House, Senate…

The Senator from Missouri is, as usual, thoughtful, politically astute, and right down the middle moderate. It makes no sense to block it. It is holding up progress, particularly because the Republican House has to be shown that this bill…

One of the theories is that there is dissention even on that bill among the Republican side, as there was on the previous bill that had middle-class tax relief in it. Mrs. McCASKILL. That is why we vote, to determine whether there is…

Reserving the right to object, Mr. President, I believe we have a set number of minutes left to discuss the nominee, Caitlin Joan Halligan, which is the subject here? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

When we confirmed President Bush's nominee to the 11th seat in 2005, Thomas Griffith, his confirmation resulted in there being 121 pending cases per judge. We did not hear a peep out of the other side that that was too low. Yet today there…

I ask that the final 8 minutes before we vote be reserved for that and that the Senator from Illinois be allowed to speak as in morning business for 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent to be recognized for the remainder of the time if no one from the minority side is here to speak against this nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I rise this morning in support of the President's first and only nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Caitlin J. Halligan is a nominee any president of any party would be proud of. I know from speaking…

I ask unanimous consent that I be given 1\1/2\ more minutes to finish this point. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I think he may have some good ideas on doing that, including requiring more reporting by the centers.

I would like to work with Chairman Leahy on ways to strengthen the oversight over the program.