I thank the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is quite clear by the extensive work the committee has done on the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement that the committee has an expertise in international…

The Senator from Florida is correct. That is absolutely our intention. There is nothing in law that prevents the continued public release of the Death Master File while the Commerce Department sets up the certification program. This act…

This bill is a compromise, and that means neither side got everything they wanted and both of us had to give a bit. I was very disappointed we were not able to close a single wasteful tax loophole that benefits the wealthiest Americans and…

I thank the Senator for his question, and I appreciate his leadership as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I understand his concerns and can assure him that the language in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 was not…

reserving the right to object, and I will object, first, as many of my colleagues here know, I have dedicated much of my career to fighting for our Nation's veterans and our military families. I am the daughter of a World War II veteran. I…

Section 401 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 creates a new category of employee called a further revised annuity employee and would require further revised annuity employees to contribute additional amounts into the Civil Service…

I would just state to all of our colleagues that this motion is an effort to bring this bill down----

I would ask unanimous consent to engage in a colloquy with the Senator from Florida and the Senator from Pennsylvania so I may respond. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I would suggest that the Senator ask that question to Chairman Ryan. But I would say again, as many of us have talked about here today, this is not the deal Democrats would have written on our own. It is not the deal Republicans would have…

the Senator from Vermont is correct. It is my intent that existing contracts to use the services of not-for- profit servicers are not terminated by this bill and that they will be permitted to compete with the Department of Education's…

before the Senator speaks--I have the last 10 minutes before the vote--so I ask unanimous consent the Senator get 2 minutes and then I be recognized. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

today I wish to pay tribute to an exemplary leader, an accomplished Soldier, and an extraordinary American, as she retires from Active Duty with the U.S. Army. LTC Kelly Marie Laurel has dedicated nearly 25 years of service to our great…

I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to help us pass this agreement so that we can get away from governing by crisis and presenting another government shutdown in January and protecting our veterans as we did in the past…

Ending this claims backlog and building a timely, accurate claims processing system is one of the absolute top priorities for our veterans.

I thank the Senator from Maryland and the Senator from Maine for helping to bring so many of us to the floor today to talk about an issue that cuts across partisan lines and has plagued our Nation's military and has gone unaddressed for…

I know too many parents who are helping their kids fill out forms. These kids don't have a parent to help them fill out the form.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Early Childhood Education

I come to the floor today to talk about the issue that got me into politics many years ago in the first place-- early childhood education. I thank my friend and colleague Chairman Harkin, whose leadership on this critical issue is…

We have asked they restore those numbers.

I have heard some concerns from my State that a rating system could harm institutions that serve a large percentage of disadvantaged students, like our community colleges.

I am very pleased to report to you that Stan Bastian was unanimously recommended by Democrats and Republicans alike to be the next Federal judge in eastern Washington.

Our system of Government is at its best when good people step up to the plate and are willing to serve.

I thank Senator Blumenthal and Senator Boxer, who will be joining me in this conversation in a few minutes. I think that now more than ever, after we have emerged from this very damaging and completely unnecessary government shutdown, the…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Women's Rights

there is no shortage of reasons why I am proud to represent my home State of Washington. Our State is an economic leader. We are home to the American aerospace industry and a thriving agricultural sector. Dozens of companies create new…