I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to speak for 7 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I rise today to discuss a heartbreaking tragedy that has focused the attention of people across America and people across the world. I rise today to discuss the plight of Meriam Ibrahim. Meriam is a young wife and a young mother. Meriam…

The rights of citizens of these United States shall not be abridged or denied.

We need to be doing everything we can to improve access to the ballots and make it convenient and to make it easy.

the basic premise of Section 5 pre-clearance is that elected representatives are incompetent minors

the Department of Justice has taken the position that Section 5 and indeed Section 2, as well, protects the ability to elect Democrats

you and I are both at this hearing. We are both elected officials in the State of Texas. We are both Hispanic.

I think we need to look at higher ground here.

I rise today to discuss the deteriorating situation in Iraq. There has been considerable debate in recent days about what we want to achieve in that country and the importance of achieving so-called political reconciliation in Baghdad. I…

There is no job more important in the administration than protecting our homeland, so I appreciate your service in this very important role.

Mr. Secretary, my time is expiring, but with all respect, in my view that argument is a red herring.

This is a humanitarian crisis that we have a legal system in place that is failing to secure the border and that is incentivizing people crossing illegally.