the woman in the photograph next to me is Berta Caceres, an indigenous Honduran environmental activist who was murdered in her home on March 3. Ms. Caceres was internationally admired, and in the 12 days since her death and since my…

I thank the distinguished senior Senator from Texas. He has worked tirelessly on this, and I think we both agree that the best government is one where you know what they are doing. ____________________

I thank Senator Cornyn for his comments, and I agree with his characterization of the intent behind the 25-year sunset and the deliberative process privilege. This new sunset should not form the basis for agencies to argue that the…

I think USAID has to adapt to a rapidly changing world, but so do we in the Congress.

USAID, not counting the other trillions of dollars we spend, has spent over $17 billion since 2002 on development projects in Afghanistan, even though there are increasing problems with oversight.

Are you at all concerned that some of our programs may do more to reinforce dependency than foster self-reliance?

I have urged USAID, both in Republican and Democratic administrations, to move away from a model that too often dictates to local populations what needs to be done or does it for them without asking who benefits.

I think USAID's core purpose should be sustainable development, and I know from our conversations, you believe that, too.

I think when we do that we encourage dependency, the opposite of sustainable development.

I was disturbed to hear Senator McConnell's remarks on the floor last week questioning my commitment to supporting survivors of human trafficking. I think anyone who follows our efforts to stop this terrible crime knows the ridiculousness…

8 years ago, I convened the first in a series of hearings in Vermont where the Senate Judiciary Committee examined the growing problem of drug addiction in rural communities. As we gathered in Rutland in March 2008, the mayor noted in his…

today is the 51st anniversary of Bloody Sunday--a horrible abuse of American citizens that occurred in Selma, AL. Each year we commemorate the events of that fateful day, because it helped transform our Nation and proved to be a catalyst…

I would agree with the Presiding Officer. I will stay here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and vote and pass this, I would hope with actually putting money in it so we are not just passing something symbolically without teeth. The PRESIDING…

I thank the Senator from Rhode Island. He is a former attorney general of his State as well as a former U.S. attorney and is well familiar with what the Constitution requires, and I appreciate his urging the U.S. Senate to do its job and…

I thank the Senator from Delaware for clearing that up. I don't normally discuss what is said in meetings with the President, but so much has been reported by the two Republicans who were there, the distinguished Senator from Iowa and the…

could we have regular order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. I am exercising my prerogative. If I don't have that prerogative, then I object. The Chair recognizes the Senator from North Carolina.

I realize our time has expired, but I ask unanimous consent that I be able to yield the floor for my colloquy but that I be followed for 5 minutes by the distinguished senior Senator from Connecticut and that he be followed by the…

Senator McCain and I are introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to make reports published by the Congressional Research Service, CRS, available to the American public online. This legislation will open up an invaluable…

last night Honduras lost one of its most courageous, charismatic indigenous leaders, Berta Caceres. Ms. Caceres was the general coordinator of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras, and she was…

the American people sent all of us here to solve problems, to strengthen and support our Nation and its people, and to help make ours a more perfect union. They expect us to govern responsibly and to work together to improve our…

I thank the distinguished senior Senator from Connecticut, especially since he brings a wealth of knowledge here. He was one of the most noted attorneys general of his State. Also, he has that very unique knowledge of one of the most…

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Blumenthal be granted three more minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

addressing the distinguished Member through the Chair, he is well aware of my concern and the difference between EB-5, which we debate all the time, and a Supreme Court nomination. This goes beyond apples and oranges. There is absolutely…

one, so we fully understand, we are perfectly willing to have--even though we don't hold Judiciary Committee meetings every week as we used to--we would be perfectly willing to have a meeting that was not in a backroom but open so the…

I ask unanimous consent to engage in a colloquy with other Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee for 30 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.