Mr. President, I am glad to have this opportunity to come to the floor of this great body to talk about issues that are of great concern to the people of Ohio whom I represent and to the country. We are facing a lot of challenges right now. Certainly health care costs are on the rise, as we have seen, but jobs are also hard to come by. There is a middle-class squeeze going on out there where paychecks are down and health care costs are up, and belief in the American dream, as a result, is on the decline. Some say for the first time since polling has begun people think that future generations are not going to be as well off as we are. This is sad, and there is work we can and should do to address this. It starts with dealing with some of the gridlock in Washington and getting some things done. One of my concerns about what the majority has done in terms of taking away the rights of the minority to be heard on nominations is creating a very tough environment to break through that gridlock and get things done. I think about the judiciary. Today we are talking about a court judge who is up for a nomination and the question is whether she is going to be confirmed. Right now, under the current rules that exist, Republicans have no voice, in essence, because the 50 votes from Democrats--and there are 55 Democrats--can put up a judge and get the votes and put anybody through they want.…
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Madam President, I yield back my time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Madam President, I come to the floor today in support of the Respect for Marriage Act. I want to summarize my remarks, though, and ask unanimous consent that my full remarks be printed in today's Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…
OK. Done. So to my colleagues, I have worked with every one of you in one way or another. Thank you for that privilege, and Godspeed as you continue to serve your constituents and continue to carry that torch of freedom forward. Thank you…
I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported…





