today the Senate is scheduled to vote on an amendment proposed as a partisan Republican alternative to the bipartisan legislation that was reported by the Judiciary Committee and that has been the business before the Senate for the last 2…

Today I would like to pay tribute to Anthony Lewis who passed away on March 25. As a reporter covering the Supreme Court and through his books, including ``Gideon's Trumpet,'' Mr. Lewis shaped the way millions of Americans understand the…

the argument we just heard is absolutely upside-down of what that amendment is. This amendment guts the bill, it guts the straw purchasing provisions, it guts the gun trafficking provisions. It totally undermines law enforcement. Law…

Senator Collins and I, as well as other Senators in both parties, worked with law enforcement, worked with the NRA, worked with a whole lot of others to craft this amendment. It gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to stop…

Vermont is known for many of its great businesses and products. Among those successful companies is Darn Tough Vermont, whose brand represents the commitment to quality and excellence that defines Vermont. For nearly a decade, Darn Tough…

I tell the Senator from Nevada, we have been working very hard on that. It has bipartisan support. It had a bipartisan vote out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. We had been working on it with the National Rifle Association and a lot of…

I ask unanimous consent that upon the conclusion of the comments by the distinguished Senator from Utah, I be recognized. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The…

the American intellectual property system is rightly held as the global standard for promoting innovation and driving economic growth. This is particularly true of our patent system, which was recently updated and strengthened for the 21st…

I ask unanimous consent to speak for 10 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I am about to suggest the absence of a quorum for about 1 minute and ask unanimous consent that upon coming out of the quorum, I be recognized. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk…

earlier this week I spoke about the need for the Senate to consider legislation to help increase Americans' safety by reducing gun violence. I came to the floor of the Senate and I urged my fellow Senators to abandon efforts to filibuster…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 10 a.m. to…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate office building, to conduct a hearing…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``A New, Open Marketplace: The Effect of Guaranteed Issue and New…

I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Cloture Motion The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, pursuant to rule XXII…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Subcommittee on Financial…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 2:15 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled, ``U.S. Policy Toward Syria.'' The PRESIDING OFFICER…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 11, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Environment and…

the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is a special place. In a State that abounds in natural beauty, the Kingdom, as many Vermonters affectionately call the State's northeast corner, is heralded for its rural splendor. While the rural character…

Successful housing programs are those that create new opportunities for their residents so that they can improve their lives and those of their children.

These programs have long provided low-income Americans with safe, affordable housing and shelter in times of crises.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to try to enact a responsible budget compromise.

As we struggle to address the growing housing needs with limited resources, Federal programs must be smarter and more agile.