I ask unanimous consent to yield back all remaining time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Cloture Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion…

First let me add my accolades to those of the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Senator Baucus. He is superbly prepared to be our next ambassador to China. He is a friend and colleague. The President chose wisely…

I ask unanimous consent that the time until 2 p.m be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees and that all quorum calls during that time also be equally divided. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without…

in a few hours this Chamber will have the opportunity to restore benefits for 1.7 million American job seekers and help reduce the national deficit by $1.2 billion. I believe my colleagues understand that this is a fiscally responsible way…

our Nation has a strong tradition of ensuring that our service members are protected while they serve To keep us safe. As the challenges facing our service members change, we must work to ensure that our laws continue to keep pace. In this…

reauthorization of the farm bill presented an opportunity to make much needed changes in our agriculture policy to rein in taxpayer subsidies for big agribusiness, support the growth of small farms and local food systems, and ensure that…

We are at a critical moment. It has been 38 days since the emergency unemployment compensation expired, forcing now not 1.6 million but 1.7 million Americans off an economic cliff and also draining $2.2 billion from State economies, and…

if I could praise my colleague for his eloquence and for his passion and say how right he is. I thank my colleague Senator Menendez for allowing me to speak, but I wanted to commend Senator Booker for his brilliance and for his dedication…

my amendment would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency--FEMA--to study and report on the advisability of establishing voluntary community-based flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program--NFIP. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside and that I be permitted to call up my amendment No. 2703. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the amendment…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be waived. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency…

I ask unanimous consent that Ellen McLaughlin, a fellow in my office, be granted the privilege of the floor for this session of the 113th Congress. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

One is we have to correct this issue, and my sense is that has to be done very quickly, immediately, for many reasons.

the need not only to keep our promises to the retired community, which should be considered invulnerable in my view, but also everyone's commitment to people on Active Duty that they have the best training, the best equipment, that their…

But it doesn't preclude us and it shouldn't preclude us from taking the action to correct it and then wait for the commission's deliberations.

We believe that two things must happen. It needs to change before it's implemented and we need to give space to this commission to allow it to be effective.

the presumption I think within the Commission is not only will their recommendations allow us to deliberate and make thoughtful decisions based upon inputs from everywhere, but also in basic fairness that they will be implemented on a…

And let me underscore what you have already said, that in addition to getting credit out, you are bringing your default rate down dramatically.

I would encourage you to do that, but also it is--you know, the areas of the country that really do need an infusion of jobs, and exports generate jobs, I think we would put high on your priority list, and I hope you can do that.

I hope that we will and not wait for the Commission because there is a clear consensus we should clear the air on this issue.

this week is the 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General's landmark report on smoking and health. I join with some of my colleagues who have taken the floor this week to commemorate this anniversary. Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry's…

first let me thank the Senator from Illinois for his great leadership on the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and for joining me in Rhode Island to see those great workers at Electric Boat and many other defense industries in Rhode…

A year ago I don't think anyone would have said we'd have two relatively peaceful elections in that country.

I believe that China's access area denial strategies are worthy of our taking a hard look at it.

I think both of you gentlemen bring extraordinary dedication and service, and not just yourselves personally but your families.