I join my colleagues in welcoming him back to this body, in which he has served with distinction from his very first day here as he did in the other body. It tears my heart apart to hear of this kind of suppression. In Vermont, we have…

I will vote for this resolution which reaffirms current U.S. policy towards Iran. In doing so, I want to emphasize that it is my understanding that this Resolution, which is non-binding, is in no way intended by its sponsors to endorse…

seeing the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the chair, I have a feeling I may be preaching to the converted, but let me say we, all of us, were outraged by the video denigrating the Muslim faith but then by the…

Senate Republicans' partisan obstructionism has reached a new low. There are 17 district court nominees pending before the Senate, and 12 of them would fill judicial emergency vacancies on our Federal trial courts. In an unprecedented…

today the majority leader was required to take the extraordinary step of asking for unanimous consent to secure Senate confirmation votes for 17 district court nominations. Before the American people elected Barack Obama as our President…

I have served in the Senate for 37 years, and I have never seen so many judicial nominees, reported with bipartisan support, be denied a simple up-or-down vote for 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, even 11 months. And if there was any doubt…

Sunday marked the 1-year anniversary of the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. One year ago, I was pleased to stand on a stage at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia with House Judiciary…

next month, a distinguished member of our Armed Forces will retire. I want to recognize and congratulate GEN Craig McKinley, who has spent the last 38 years in service to our country, and who has led the National Guard through a unique…

I am very pleased to join today with the senior Senator from Oklahoma, Senator Inhofe, in introducing legislation that has already attracted broad support--from across the social and political spectrum. This bill, titled the Foreign Prison…

I know for 2 years Sikh Americans have been asking that there be a special category on the Hate Crime Report so that we can keep track.

It was clear that at least for the last 10 or 11 years, there has been ample evidence of prejudice against Sikh Americans, even violence against Sikh Americans.

You hear these continued calls for action. We know the Leahy-Crapo reauthorization bill passed the Senate with a strong bipartisan majority of 68 votes. Every woman in the Senate--Republican and Democrat alike--voted for it. But Republican…

I thank the distinguished Senator for her kind comments. She knows that this, whether in Washington State or the State of Vermont, is a major issue. She has voted for and supported the Leahy-Crapo bill, as has the distinguished Presiding…

today, the House of Representatives passed S. 3245, legislation to reauthorize the job-creating EB-5 Regional Center Program for an additional 3 years. In addition to this important program, the legislation also prevents the expiration of…

it is an honor to recognize Rosaire Longe, a man who has dedicated much of his life to civil service. Whether fighting fires, serving the city of Burlington, VT, as city assessor, representing his district in the Vermont State Legislature…

like others in this body, including Senator Udall of Colorado and my fellow senator from Vermont, Senator Sanders, I support extending the production tax credit for wind energy. This extension is critical to maintaining America's…

eleven years ago today, on a crisp early autumn morning much like today's, I was at the Supreme Court for the semiannual meeting of the Judicial Conference when I got word of the first attack of 9/11. I quietly informed Chief Justice…

I want to use this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contribution of a dear friend of mine, Dr. Henry Jarecki, who is the founding chairman of the Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund. This year is the fund's…

we are beginning about 3 minutes late. I ask unanimous consent that the time be divided in such a way that the vote still starts at 5:30. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I see the distinguished senior Senator from Iowa. I reserve the balance of my time and ask it be under the control of Senator Harkin. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.

When the Senate recessed more than a month ago, 22 judicial nominees to fill vacancies in courtrooms around the country were left pending, awaiting a Senate vote. Today, Senate Republicans have agreed to vote on just one of those nominees…

I am pleased to introduce today legislation that will help American businesses and inventors by reducing obstacles for obtaining patent protection overseas. This bipartisan measure implements two patent law treaties that were signed under…

I am disappointed that Congress has agreed to put government funding decisions on autopilot for the first 6 months of fiscal year 2013 through another continuing resolution. This means, in effect, that a half year's worth of hearings…

several weeks ago I spoke in this Chamber about the assault on freedom of expression in Ecuador, where President Correa has sought to silence his critics including the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Organization of…

today, the Senate worked together to advance bipartisan legislation that Senator Grassley and I introduced, and I thank all Senators for their support. I am very pleased that the Senate has agreed to pass this important legislation as it…