More than 12 years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, as we see our military presence in Afghanistan wind down, it is time to take a hard look at our counterterrorism policy. We need to consider which of our policies are working…

today I join with Senator Portman to introduce the bipartisan Second Chance Reauthorization Act, a bill that builds on recent successes and takes important new steps to ensure that people coming out of prison have the opportunity to turn…

this month, we commemorate Native American Heritage Month. It is an important opportunity to recognize the exceptional achievements and contributions of those in the Native American community. They are an integral part of this country's…

I commend President Obama for renominating Judge Patricia M. Wald to serve as a member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, ``PCLOB''. The Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Wald to this post on August 2, 2012. The President…

I am going to weigh that feedback very carefully.

I believe that the bulk collection program mostly authorized under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act should come to an end.

One of my biggest concerns about Section 215 phone records is that the legal rationale underpinning it has no limiting principle.

Without greater transparency, we are not going to restore public confidence.

That is why I urge support for the Franken-Heller legislation before this Subcommittee today.

I recently introduced a comprehensive surveillance reform bill--it is bipartisan--the USA Freedom Act.

I think more and more people agree or should agree that we need additional transparency about our government surveillance activities.

Is our country safer because you cannot answer the question?

I joined Senator Franken to introduce the Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013.

If we do not enact meaningful reforms, it is going to affect businesses, too, is it not?

My bill would not even require anything near this level of reporting.

I am worried about overclassification. I find oftentimes--and every administration has been guilty of this--it is easier to classify a mistake rather than trying to explain it.

I had hoped to also include the five nominees for the judicial emergency vacancies in the District of Arizona in this hearing, but we have not yet received the blue slips from the Arizona Senators.

the very first Justice of the Supreme Court I got to vote on as a Member of the U.S. Senate was John Paul Stevens.

I would note there are 17 nominations pending on the Senate floor waiting for clearance by the Republicans.

the Senate has a historic opportunity today to take discrimination out of the workplace by casting a vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Today's vote has been 20 years in the making, and it is long overdue for Congress to…

the budget conferees are working to reach agreement on the fiscal 2014 budget, and I compliment Senator Murray for the great work she has done. I want to join those who have expressed strong support for their efforts. We all know what the…

I understand that an amendment was negotiated to clarify the exemption provided to religious organizations in this legislation. This is Senate amendment No. 2012. I understand that the intent of the antiretaliation provision in the…

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

we are at a watershed moment in the history of intelligence oversight, like nothing I have seen since the Church Committee. Some of the recent revelations have led to important national conversations about the scope of our Nation's…

I think the main drivers of this prison growth are front-end sentencing laws that were enacted by us in Congress, like the proliferation of mandatory minimum sentences.