it has been quite a few weeks now since Harvey hit and, then, Irma. Now Maria has devastated the island of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Of course, my gaze has been firmly on the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey back in my…

today I would like to talk about a topic that most of us don't want to discuss, and that is taxes, except today is different. This time, you don't have to groan over spreadsheets and calculations or worry about how much of your hard-earned…

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Cochran), the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Strange), and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young).

I ask unanimous consent that the Collins substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; that the Collins title amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to…

I ask unanimous consent that the committee amendment to the resolution be withdrawn; the Lee amendment at the desk be agreed to; the resolution, as amended, be agreed to; the amendment to the preamble be agreed to; the preamble, as…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 115, S. Res. 114. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 114)…

I am particularly glad to see you presiding today because I came here to report on what you and I saw together in Texas during this last long weekend. Unfortunately, it didn't feel quite like home--not when parts of Texas battered by…

I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 3354) making appropriations for the…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks from the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Van Hollen. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 27; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of the proceedings…

I know of no further debate on the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the bill? Hearing none, the bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall it pass? The bill (S. 870), as amended, was passed.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment in the…