I thank Mr. Van Hollen for his leadership as our Ranking Member on the Budget Committee and I thank him for his commitment to helping America's working families. Mr. Chair, as I've said--our budget is a statement of our national…

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding, and I also thank him for his tremendous leadership in continuing to craft the Congressional Black Caucus' budget and also for his work as ranking member on the Education and the Workforce…

Why do I oppose the rule? I oppose the rule, first, because this rule, if it moves forward, would allow for the Republican budget, which we know could pass this body, with these huge cuts. I think we need to go back to the drawing board…

The Civil Rights Act, the Criminal Justice Act, Food Stamp Act, Older Americans Act, Social Security amendments, Voting Rights Act, HUD, all of these programs, Higher Education Act, these are initiatives that you are cutting that provide…

I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for making it very plain in terms of what their budget does and does not do. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. Yes, I am a member of the Budget…

I thank Senator Whitehouse. Mr. President, I would like to conclude by thanking my colleagues for their help. First of all, thanks to Senator Durbin for working with this Senator over the last couple of years in developing this…

we have new research that shows there are two big problems we face as a result of these mandatory minimum sentences within our Federal system. First, they are not needed to ensure public safety in many instances, and second, they are…

we rise today to speak in favor of the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would make targeted reforms to mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. I was proud to join my distinguished colleague…

It is not true. It is simply inaccurate. So those who insist that our exploding Federal prison population somehow has nothing to do with the explosive use of mandatory minimum prison sentences within our Federal system are simply wrong. In…

I ask unanimous consent to enter into a colloquy with the senior Senator from Illinois and the junior Senator from New Jersey, as well as the junior Senator from Arizona. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent to grant floor privileges to a member of my staff, Derek Brown, through the end of the day. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Yes, and I would like to conclude my remarks in a moment by wrapping up. Before I do that, though, I notice on the floor with us is my friend Senator Whitehouse, who happens to be another supporter and cosponsor of this bill and who is…

I thank the Senator from New Jersey for this question, which really cuts to the heart of many of the most important reasons why we feel this bill needs to become law. First, the Smarter Sentencing Act would reduce Federal mandatory minimum…

Those who make that argument--those who suggest that by passing this bill we would reduce the bargaining power of prosecutors-- are mistaken. The sentencing commission data on this point shows that the longer a mandatory minimum sentence…

I rise today to pay tribute to a gentleman from Rosebud, TX, who has helped this Senator from Utah on occasions too numerous to count and in ways impossible to measure. For over 4 years Brian Phillips has dutifully served as my…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Tribute to Brian Phillips

We have a lot of sick veterans that need access to care.

I am looking forward to the day when I can stand with you behind the podium and celebrate the successes of the V.A.

These veterans have suffered horribly at the hands of bad actors.

Central Alabama V.A. Health System is one of the worst in the country.

I would hope we could figure out a way to help make sure that goal is achievable since that is the goal, because these veterans deserve better than what is taking place now.

Veterans still, who deserve their benefits, they are still dying before they can receive their benefits.

One thing I am concerned about is that Congress gave the VA $15 billion for Choice.

I appreciate that. But then maybe you need to call CBS and clarify this, because this report is all over the place.

I want to continue to be helpful in any way that I can, to push these programs.