The way this debate all started, the ICBA came in and wrote a letter before we even had a bill, and they supported Dodd-Frank before Dodd-Frank existed.

I do think the $50 billion threshold that--look, one of the things that is most strange about serving in the Senate is you realize we just make this stuff up, right?

I think everybody on this committee cares first and foremost that we have a policy, a strategy, to deal with ISIS that is in relation to our national interests, that the two are aligned.

The President, which I appreciate, has sent to us an authorization for the use of military force. That was welcomed I think by both sides of the aisle.

What the department needs is full funding and full morale. The morale has got to be suffering of the dedicated workers whose jobs are being jerked around on them right now.

To me, it is an attempt to allow Congress to be able to put pressure on Fed members relative to monetary policy, and I would just advocate that that would not be a particularly good idea and it would cause us to put off tough decisions for…

The report reviews the efforts of countries to address trafficking in persons especially in the most severe forms.

We have convened this hearing to understand how U.S. leadership can best be deployed to deal a mortal wound to modern slavery.

This hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order.

Today we hope to learn how U.S. leadership is already making a difference.

I believe we have come to a point where we can do more.

I think most Americans would be stunned to know that slavery still exists in this world.

the Committee on Foreign Relations has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 114th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Senator Menendez, I ask unanimous…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 15 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, there is 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to amendment…

Deficits do not matter, but they do matter, do they not?

Congress needs to do that pretty quickly.

Deficits affect the standard of living of Americans.

But every year we wait it gets more difficult. Is that correct?

I hope that over the course of the next two months, we will figure out a way to come together and actually deal with these issues in a way that is meaningful.

I think all of us want to make sure that people who are in need have access.

I happen to think that a balanced budget is one that keeps our nation strongest.

I do not want to volunteer to die quickly to solve the Social Security problem--

the greatest threat to our national security today is really our inability to grapple with these issues.

But when people get it that do not deserve it, it actually hurts those very people that are in need.

I hope we will come together and figure out a way of solving that.