I call up my amendment No. 2204. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Vermont [Mr. Leahy] proposes an amendment numbered 2204.

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To support the State Rural Development Partnership) On page 652…

the Senate will vote today on whether to proceed to a congressional resolution of disapproval that I strongly oppose. This resolution would repeal the Environmental Protection Agency's mercury and air toxics standards rule and undo the…

I would like to pay tribute to Frances Williams Preston, a trailblazing businesswoman, a dedicated humanitarian, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a friend. I was saddened when she passed away on June 13. Frances began her…

I strongly oppose the Lee amendment to repeal the Forest Legacy Program, and urge all Senators to do the same. For more than two decades, this program has led to the conservation of over 2.2 million acres of working forest lands in 49…

I commend the Senate for agreeing to this resolution celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the First Morrill Act. The Morrill Act, named for its author, Justin Morrill of Strafford, VT, granted public lands to States and…

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay upon the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2354

Today, I am pleased to join Senator Franken to introduce the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012. This important legislation will respond to the Supreme Court's decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, and restore women's ability to…

I completely agree. We need to ensure that Federal programs are carried out in a manner that ensures we keep as much agricultural land in working production as we possibly can. In Vermont, our forests are an important part of that…

Like New Hampshire, Vermont is one of the most forested States in the country. Even farms with a significant amount of open space tend to have significant forested acreage and both are feeling tremendous development pressures. While many…

This amendment will reestablish authorization for National Rural Development Partnerships--renamed State Rural Development Partnerships--in the 2012 farm bill. Reauthorization of these effective and efficient councils will allow them to…

Nine months ago, the U.S. Congress did something that has become all too rare. It sent to the President bipartisan legislation that is going to unleash American innovation to create jobs and improve our economy.

Fall is a beautiful time in Vermont.

I commend you on flying coach.

Well, and I agree with you. You explored the poles on that, and I agree with you on both of them.

This will unleash American innovation and improve the American economy.

I mean it as a compliment and not as a pejorative when I talk about a roadshow, but have those worked out pretty well in your mind?

I strongly oppose the Toomey amendment, which would completely eliminate funding for the organic certification cost-share assistance, risk management education, and agricultural management assistance. These programs are highly effective…

I hope, following the bipartisan example of President Bush and President Obama, that we can implement legislation in the same bipartisan and bicameral manner as we did on patent reform.

last week, Senate Republicans announced they are going to shut down and block the confirmation process for qualified and consensus circuit nominees for the rest of the year. That is unfortunate, and it does nothing to help the American…

later this month, I and other Members of Congress will be watching what happens in a courtroom 7,000 miles from Washington, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. That is where a journalist named Eskinder Nega stands accused of supporting terrorism…

last night the Senate voted to end the Republican filibuster of this outstanding nominee. For the 28th time since President Obama was elected, the majority leader was forced to file cloture to get an up-or-down vote on one of President…

I applaud the Department's continued efforts to ensure that Americans do not have their constitutional right to vote taken away by efforts at voter suppression and disenfranchisement.

Is the Department of Justice going to vigorously enforce the Voting Rights Act?