I believe we have to protect our national security, but we also have to protect our civil liberties which make us unique as a country.

I have been fortunate that my native State of Vermont has allowed me to serve here for four decades.

I just mentioned a number of the letters I will submit... is supportive of Loretta Lynch, and Congressman John Lewis.

the key question for voting for a nominee to be Attorney General is independence.

I think that was a mistake.

You should be respected by all Americans for standing up to gross injustice.

The next Attorney General will face some very difficult challenges, from combating cybercrime, to protecting our children from exploitation, to helping fight the war on terror.

It is my privilege to recommend Ms. Lynch to you.

during the closing days of the 112th Congress, and for the duration of the 113th Congress, I had the privilege of serving the Senate as the President pro tempore. It of course was a great honor, and a humbling one, to serve the Senate and…

it is a delight to call the Senate's attention to an outstanding Vermonter who was recently recognized for his work to help Vermonters who have struggled with social and economic injustice. Since 1997, the Burlington Free Press has invited…

this will be set aside in a moment. First, I wish to note that my amendment is simply to make sure that if people have appeals on actions under this law, they be able to appeal in the courts within their jurisdictions and not have to…

I ask unanimous consent to speak for 1 minute to explain the States rights amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there an objection to the request from the Senator from Vermont?

I want to thank the senior Senator from Illinois for what he said about my dear friend Senator Wendell Ford. I was fortunate to come here to the Senate the same year that Senator Ford did. We were different in age, and I must say…

I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment to call up amendment No. 30. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows…

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 strike a provision relating to judicial review) Beginning on…

I thank my friend from North Dakota for his usual courtesy shown earlier. Unfortunately, I had a nose bleed, and I had to stop my speech. I think I am not used to the elevation--the altitude of the Senate--but after over 40 years I should…

I thank the Senator for his usual courtesy, and I appreciate it. As the most senior Member of this body, I have served in both the majority and minority numerous times, under three Democratic Presidents, four Republican Presidents, and…

The Supreme Court's decisions in Alice and Octane Fitness have already had a dramatic impact, a 40 percent reduction in patent filings.

If we fail to uphold and strengthen our strong tradition of IP protection in this country, the benefits of American ingenuity will flow out of this country and to our competitors.

There is always a momentary benefit to opening up and making free to the world things previously protected, but there can be long-term costs as well.

I am greatly appreciative of hours dedicated to a patent study group created by two esteemed members of the Delaware bench.

I agree, we need to find a way, working together, to clamp down on abuses.

on January 12 in Saudi Arabia a prominent human rights lawyer, Mr. Waleed Abu al-Khair, was handed a 5-year extension to his 10-year prison sentence. Mr. Abu al-Khair, who is the founder and director of the watchdog group Monitor of Human…

today I am introducing legislation that will close a tax loophole that allows companies to write off the punishment they receive for corporate wrongdoing. Under current law, a corporation or individual business owner may deduct the cost of…

I would like to publicly thank U.S. attorney Tristram Coffin for his service to Vermont and our country. I have known Tris for decades, and I am proud that Vermont has been served by someone as thoughtful and fair as Tris. I join my fellow…