this is an interesting time. I was thinking that over the holiday break. I was home, and I talked to many Vermonters. These are Vermonters who are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and across the political spectrum. All of them…

I am pleased to be here with my good friend the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Shelby from Alabama. We worked hard on this bill, he as chairman and I as vice chairman. We reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that…

I ask unanimous consent that Virginia Flores, a detailee of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, be granted floor privileges for the debate and action on H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865. The…

I want to thank everybody for joining Senator Shelby and I on this vote. It is going to help us move forward, and, as I said in my earlier remarks, Republicans and Democrats came together and worked extraordinarily hard on these…

I have often said that we Senators are merely constitutional impediments to the staff who do such great work, and I applaud them all on both sides of the aisle. I yield the floor to my distinguished chairman. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr…

I would like to take a moment to recognize the success of another Vermont business, Hazelett Continuous Casting, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of producing quality casting equipment and research. Hazelett is a true pioneer of…

I want to celebrate the success of a Vermont entrepreneur and small business owner, Steve Gagner, of 14th Star Brewery. Started in 2012, 14th Star Brewery began in a hand-built brew house in St. Albans, VT, with beer brewed in repurposed…

this year marks the 100th anniversary of one of Vermont's most nationally recognized businesses, Agri-Mark Cabot Creamery Co-operative. Founded as a small butter plant in Cabot, VT, with principles of producing high-quality dairy products…

I support the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The final, conferenced version of this bill reflects a compromise. As with any compromise, there are things I support and things I wish the final bill had included. Of…

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with my friend, former Vermont State Representative Kiah Morris, who among many distinctions was only the second African-American woman ever elected to the Vermont Legislature. Kiah's talents are…

this past October, the young women who make up the Burlington High School girls soccer team in Burlington, VT, made a statement: The time for equal pay is now. All they are looking for is for their leaders--leaders like us in Congress--to…

for 50 years the Inter-American Foundation, IAF, has partnered with grassroots organizations and underserved populations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to advance U.S. interests by helping to improve the lives of the…

it really is a privilege to join with so many of my Senate friends in honoring the service of Senator Johnny Isakson. I would also say to Senator Isakson: Isn't it nice to hear all of these wonderful things while you are alive and can be…

I have spoken previously about the alarming rates of corruption, violent crime, and impunity in Honduras. While Honduras is by no means unique in this regard, it is a serious concern given the challenges it poses not only for the people of…

I will be brief. I agree with the distinguished senior Senator from Alabama. The Paul amendment imposes a 1-percent across-the-board cut over last year's funding level to the vast majority of discretionary spending for the duration of the…

I vividly recall the feeling of optimism that people in this country and around the world felt on that day in Washington in 1993 when Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and PLO Chairman Arafat signed the Oslo Accords. For those too young to…

since the onset of the Trump Presidency, the White House has issued a steady stream of executive orders to reverse the policy of engagement with Cuba begun by President Obama. Those decisions have largely curtailed travel by law-abiding…

I know people are waiting to see what might happen around here. We will have before us a continuing resolution to fully fund the Federal Government through December 20. I wish this was not necessary, and that we would have just passed all…

the world's oceans serve as a crucial carbon sink, a home to hundreds of thousands of known and countless unknown species of marine life, an essential source of protein for billions of people, and a facilitator of billions of dollars in…

I would like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of Maida Townsend, a Vermont State Representative and now a decorated figure skater, who recently took home the gold medal in an international figure skating competition in Lake…

the Washington Nationals' upset victory in the 2019 World Series reminded a good friend of mine, Rabbi Michael Cohen of Manchester, VT, of another unforeseen win. Fifty years ago, the New York Mets, led by star pitcher Tom Seaver, and…

we do not have to be reminded of the more than 50 million lives lost in the 1918 influenza pandemic or the many thousands lost in the SARS, Ebola, MERS, and other recent infectious disease outbreaks to recognize that far more must be done…

Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is filled with outdoor enthusiasts: people who ski, snowboard, mountain bike, hike, and do so much more. Outdoor enthusiasts who live in Chittenden County or who have visited the area are likely to have…

today the Supreme Court heard arguments in one of the most consequential immigration cases in modern American history. The future of more than 700,000 DACA recipients--our Nation's Dreamers--hangs in the balance and their fate is…

it is great sadness that Marcelle and I learned of the passing of Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina on October 28. I have served in the U.S. Senate with nearly 400 Senators. Like many of them, Senator Hagan fought day and day out for her…