We did not pass this law just for the sake of having a law on the books.

There is some energy over on the House side. The Issa-Cummings bill that Senator Grassley mentioned actually would order agencies to do this within 180 days.

The Issa-Cummings bill that Senator Grassley mentioned actually would order agencies to do this within 180 days.

It was a great idea. It was one of the first pieces of teeth that we have seen in the law anytime, anywhere.

Simply saying everything is secret does not instill confidence in the American people.

There should be no delays in getting FOIA requests?

This is an important hearing on one of our most cherished open government laws, the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

How many agencies are fully in compliance with the OPEN Government Act? What percentage?

I think the next nominee for a Justice Department confirmation position that comes up here ought to be told, 'I am sorry. Your confirmation is not going to go through until you turn over the OLC memos.'

I think that might be conservative, too.

It takes some pressure. It takes leverage of money. It takes holding up some confirmations. And yes, it might take a subpoena.

today I am introducing bipartisan legislation that will help promote competition in the wireless industry and restore consumer choice. From 2006 until last year, an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, DMCA, permitted cell…

last week I introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Collins to combat the straw purchasing and trafficking of firearms. We were joined by other Senators from both sides of the aisle. We have made good progress since then. Last…

today the Senate has an opportunity to act in a bipartisan manner to end a filibuster against an outstanding nominee to the D.C. Circuit. Caitlin Halligan is an exceptional attorney with the kind of impeccable credentials in both public…

I understand the Senator from New York will speak following my comments. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.

I realize we have not gone in the regular order with the manager of the nomination speaking first. We are having a hearing right now with the Attorney General. So I ask unanimous consent, when the distinguished Senator finishes his speech…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room 345 of the Cannon House Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 6, 2013, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Department of Homeland…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of Executive Calendar No. 13, the nomination of Caitlin Halligan. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will…

It was nice to actually have Senators do things together on both sides of the aisle, and the country is better off for it.

It would be good to hear from the Attorney General that he will be releasing such an opinion today.

tomorrow the Senate will have an opportunity to correct itself and complete action on the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the DC Circuit. She was first nominated to a vacancy on the court in September 2010, almost 30 months ago. No one…

Turning away from excessive sentences and mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenders would be a good start.

We are concerned, some of us, that the Department may inappropriately apply the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.