the huge growing student debt that could have macroeconomic effects, slowing down home purchases

today I am reintroducing bipartisan legislation to provide support for environmental education in our Nation's classrooms. I thank Senators Kirk, Murray, Tom Udall, Durbin, and Whitehouse for agreeing to be original cosponsors of the No…

I encourage thinking through. Thank you.

Let us look ahead to 2050, 2060.

today I introduce the Family Engagement in Education Act with my colleagues Senator Coons and Senator Whitehouse. I thank Representative Thompson for introducing the House companion of this bipartisan bill. Our legislation will strengthen…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Repealing the…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 10…

I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Diabetes Research: Reducing the Burden of Diabetes at All Ages and…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Judicial…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Lessons Learned from the Boston…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 10, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. in room SH-562 of the Hart Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING…

we are about to take this vote. It is vitally important. The proposal is very straightforward, to extend the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans at 3.4 percent. It is fully paid for. It will allow us to work through a very…

let me commend Senator Stabenow, Senator Harkin, Senator Warren, Senator Franken, and Senator Hagan, particularly, who is the cosponsor of the legislation I have proposed. My proposal would keep the student loan interest rate for…

I ask unanimous consent that at the conclusion of my remarks, the Senator from Utah be recognized. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I wish to thank the Senator from Utah for graciously allowing me to proceed. While the Republicans failed to join us in an effort to avert the doubling of the interest rate on need-based student loans, there is still time to act to make…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 25, line 14, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $18,956,000)''. Page 28, line 10, after the dollar amount…

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to a period of morning business until 7 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

July 1 is less than 1 week away. We need to reassure students who will be taking out loans for school this fall that their interest rates will not double. It is safe to say most of us on both sides of the aisle would want to see a…

let me thank the Republican leader for cooperating. We are attempting to move forward legislation with respect to student loans. We will shortly reach July 1. At that point, the student loan rate for subsidized Stafford loans doubles from…

I am prepared to make a request for consent. I believe the Republican leader will respond, and at the conclusion of his response I wish to be recognized to make additional comments. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed…

I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coons). Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I am pleased to be joined by Senators Fischer, Menendez, Casey, Klobuchar and Franken in the introduction of the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Reauthorization Act. This legislation is an extension of ongoing bipartisan…

I think the President has chosen wisely in both cases.

It is indeed a privilege to be able to introduce Kara Stein as a nominee to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.