already, eight House Republicans have endorsed this approach in a letter to Speaker Boehner urging passage of our VAWA legislation with this compromise. I am reaching out to them and to members of both parties in both houses of Congress…

I have spoken on this subject many times on the floor. The people who are affected by violence against women have wondered why the Congress has delayed so long on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, the bill we passed here in…

the Senate is finally being allowed to vote today on the nomination of Michael Shea to be a district judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. It has taken far too long for this day to come, but he will be confirmed…

I have had the privilege of serving in this body every day that Tom Harkin has been here. Nobody has spoken more eloquently for the needs of the disabled than Senator Harkin. He learned sign language so he could communicate with his…

I was very pleased that the Senate adopted last night an amendment to improve the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, LEOSA. I was pleased to join Senator Webb, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, as a cosponsor to strengthen…

our intellectual property system in the United States is the envy of the world and the engine of economic growth. By granting inventors exclusive rights in their discoveries for a limited time, the patent system incentivizes research and…

while the Senator from Iowa is on the floor--and I will be very brief because there are others waiting to speak--I am so moved and touched by what he had to say. I had the privilege of being in that room with the Senator from Iowa, Senator…

The Senate today is considering the ratification of an important treaty that will further strengthen the United States' longstanding role as a beacon of human rights around the world. I support ratification of the United Nations Convention…

after months of unjustifiable delays, the Senate will finally be allowed to vote on one of President Obama's qualified, consensus judicial nominees. The nomination of Paul William Grimm to the United States District Court for the District…

the National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA, that was enacted into law last December contained several deeply troubling provisions related to the indefinite detention of individuals without charge or trial. These provisions undermine our…

so much of the news we hear today is riddled in tragedy, but every so often a story of joy and hope transcends the negativity and warms our hearts. I would like to share such a story and salute a constituent of mine, fifteen-year-old Adam…

it has now been more than 3 weeks since President Obama was reelected by the American people, and Senate Republicans are still blocking votes on 19 judicial nominations who should have received confirmation votes before the Senate recessed…

this fall also marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of another great Senator, Paul Wellstone, and his wife Sheila. They were dear friends. Among the many things for which they are fondly remembered is the important work they did to…

I ask unanimous consent that Scott Haller of Senator Udall's office be granted floor privileges for the duration of debate on S. 3254. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that Russ Cummings, a military fellow from Senator Manchin's office, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of the debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2013. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

It was a pleasure and an honor for this Senator to serve side by side with the late Senator from New Hampshire, Warren Rudman. As we in New England knew and, of course, as the people of New Hampshire, and we neighbors in Vermont…

Friday will mark a year since Senator Crapo and I introduced this bill. We have kept victims waiting too long. We should come together to act now. JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS

Despite our setback, Chairman Smith and I were, and have remained, determined to move forward. I know I have his full support for inclusion of this measure in the Defense authorization measure we now consider, and I greatly appreciate the…

And as I understand, the managers will be requesting a rollcall vote. Mr. President, how much time does the Senator from Vermont have remaining? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 7 minutes remaining.

I ask unanimous consent that floor privileges during this vote and subsequent votes on the bill be granted to Bruce Cohen, Erica Schabot, and Matt Virkstis. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I would note that this is a very modest expansion of benefits for emergency medical technicians who serve at the direction of a state emergency response system, and is entirely offset by other provisions in the amendment. It simply reforms…

the distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma has noted his objection, and I appreciate him doing that, but I would also note that we share different views on this. For example, the Senator from Oklahoma was the lone vote opposing the…

it is my understanding that we will be voting at 6 p.m. Is that correct? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

this is actually a simple amendment. It strengthens the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act. That is the Federal death and disability program that we have for our Nation's first responders who are killed or disabled in the line of duty…

I know we have matters under discussion with the distinguished chairman and the distinguished ranking member of the committee. I have discussed with them that I am not bringing up an amendment at this point. But let me talk about an…