SANDERS, BERNARD (a Senator from Vermont)

Addresses

New Non-Resident Ambassadors to the Holy See—Kyrgyzstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Luxeumbourg and Botswana: Pope Francis, S3561 [16MY]

Amendments

Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs (S. 954), S3620 [20MY], S3636, S3666, S3667, S3671, S3689 [21MY], S3749, S3763, S3773 [22MY], S3870 [23MY]

Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2023 (S. Con. Res. 8), S2174, S2184, S2219 [21MR], S2283, S2297, S2309, S2353, S2367 [22MR]

Business and industry: empower States to require online retailers to collect and remit State sales and use taxes (S. 743), S3051, S3057 [25AP]

Conservation of energy: promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry (S. 1392), S6463 [12SE], S6533 [17SE]

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 1197), S8252, S8271, S8272 [19NO], S8377 [20NO]

Dept. of Education: establish interest rates for new student loans made on or after a certain date (H.R. 1911), S5867, S5919 [24JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: expand the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits (S. 287), S7799 [4NO], S7885 [6NO]

——— improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs (H.R. 1412), S6685, S6686, S6687 [23SE]

Depts. of Transportation and HUD and related agencies: making appropriations (S. 1243), S6026 [29JY], S6136 [31JY]

Immigration: reform (S. 744), S4490, S4492 [13JN], S4530, S4532 [17JN]

National cemeteries: provide authority to reconsider decisions to inter or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery and disinter remains of Michael L. Anderson from Fort Custer National Cemetery (S. 1471), S8134, S8135 [18NO]

Water: provide for conservation and development of water and related resources and authorize Corps of Engineers to construct various projects to improve rivers and harbors (S. 601), S3351 [9MY], S3380 [13MY], S3411 [14MY]

Appointments

Conferee: S. Con. Res. 8, setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2023, S7560 [16OC]

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, S569 [7FE]

Articles and editorials

Federal Budget Crisis Months in the Planning, Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Mike McIntire, New York (NY) Times, S7253–S7255 [7OC]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Abortion: limit restrictions on the provision of abortion services to protect a women’s right to determine whether and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy (see S. 1696), S8000 [13NO]

Agriculture: provide for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens (see S. 820), S6754 [24SE]

Animal Welfare Act: provide further protection for puppies (see S. 395), S1951 [19MR]

Armed Forces: protect the privacy of servicewomen seeking abortions in cases of rape or incest and allow use of private funds for abortions at U.S. military facilities (see S. 777), S2896 [23AP]

——— restore full working-age military retiree cost-of-living adjustment by closing tax loopholes for offshore corporations (see S. 1844), S8913 [17DE]

Bankruptcy: make privately issued student loans dischargeable (see S. 114), S2328 [22MR]

BLM: designate certain portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Deserts in Utah as wilderness (see S. 769), S2798 [18AP]

Boston, MA: commend heroism, courage, and sacrifice of victims recovering from attacks relative to Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt (see S. Res. 115), S3029 [25AP]

——— condemn bombings at the Boston Marathon, express condolences to victims and their families, and commend medical personnel, first responders, and citizens that aided victims (see S. Res. 101), S2749 [17AP]

Boston Red Sox (baseball team): tribute (see S. Res. 287), S7830 [5NO]

Budget: replace the sequester by eliminating tax loopholes (see S. 277, 278), S590 [11FE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: tribute to law enforcement, postal workers, and other Senate employees who detected and prevented poison threat to Members of Congress (see S. Res. 112), S2960 [24AP]

Chemicals: ensure that risks from chemicals are adequately understood and managed (see S. 696), S2564 [10AP]

Civil rights: award a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley honoring the 50th anniversary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing (see S. 186), S3326 [9MY]

——— improve remedies for discrimination in the payment of wages based on sex (see S. 84), S213 [23JA]

——— prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (see S. 815), S3093 [6MY]

Colleges and universities: require private educational lenders to obtain certain certifications from institutions of higher education (see S. 113), S2328 [22MR]

Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum: establish (see S. 398), S8976 [18DE]

Contraceptives: establish certain duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of FDA-approved contraception (see S. 333), S772 [14FE]

Contracts: establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses (see S. 878), S3158 [7MY]

Controlled Substances Act: exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana (see S. 359), S1089 [4MR]

Credit: empower States to set the maximum annual percentage rates applicable to consumer credit transactions (see S. 1229), S5501 [27JN]

——— provide for affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (see S. 249), S519 [7FE]

Crime: prohibit attendance of an animal fighting venture (see S. 666), S7500 [15OC]

Defense of Marriage Act: repeal and ensure respect for State regulation of marriage (see S. 1236), S5264 [26JN]

Dept. of Agriculture: establish a Healthy Food Financing Initiative (see S. 821), S3028 [25AP]

——— promote local and regional farm and food systems (see S. 679), S2650 [15AP]

Dept. of Defense: modify authorities relative to procedures for courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice by removing prosecution of serious crimes from the chain of command (see S. 967), S4674 [19JN]

Dept. of Education: collect information from coeducational elementary and secondary schools on equality in athletic programs (see S. 217), S1892 [18MR]

——— establish a comprehensive literacy program (see S. 758), S2797 [18AP]

——— extend reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans through Tax Code modifications relative to pension plans, expatriated entities, and the oil and gas industry (see S. 953), S4793 [20JN]

——— extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans (see S. 707), S2589 [11AP]

——— extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans through Tax Code modifications relative to pension plans (see S. 1238), S5498 [27JN]

——— provide education for homeless children and youths (see S. 833), S6328 [10SE]

——— provide funds for student loans through the FRS and ensure that such loans are available at interest rates equivalent to that at which the Government provides loans to banks (see S. 897), S5265 [26JN]

Dept. of Energy: improve high-end computing research and development program (see S. 733), S2845 [22AP]

Dept. of HHS: award certain asthma-related grants to States that permit trained school personnel to administer epinephrine (see S. 1503), S6446 [12SE]

——— improve and enhance research and treatments of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer (see S. 1251), S5569 [9JY]

——— provide protections for consumers against excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory increases in insurance premium rates (see S. 482), S1229 [6MR]

——— revise and extend projects relating to children and violence to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs (see S. 195), S438 [31JA]

Dept. of Justice: strengthen the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program Secure Our Schools grant program (see S. 146), S2749 [17AP]

Dept. of Labor: prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future by improving existing education, workforce, and support programs for high school dropouts (see S. 1117), S4523 [17JN]

Dept. of the Treasury: identify misaligned currency and require action to correct the misalignment (see S. 1114), S5527 [8JY]

Dept. of Transportation: set separate performance measures for motorized and non-motorized safety and allow States to set their own safety targets and to choose the best methods to meet them (see S. 1708), S8669 [11DE]

Diseases: reauthorize and extend program to provide for research with respect to various forms of muscular dystrophy (see S. 315), S708 [13FE]

District of Columbia: condemn Navy Yard shootings, express condolences to victims, support for those impacted, and gratitude to responders to the shootings (see S. Res. 265), S7210 [4OC]

——— statehood (see S. 132), S4673 [19JN]

Doolittle Tokyo Raiders: award Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 381), S2565 [10AP]

Economy: prevent use of chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security or veteran benefits or to increase low- and middle-class tax burden (see S. Con. Res. 15), S2961 [24AP]

Education: enhance entrance counseling and exit counseling for student borrowers (see S. 546), S1785 [13MR]

——— improve and provide all students with the opportunity to succeed (see S. 3), S42 [22JA]

——— improve early learning opportunities for prekindergarten children (see S. 1697), S8000 [13NO]

Elections: ensure clean and fair elections (see S. 9), S42 [22JA]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: reauthorize and amend (see S. 1094), S3954 [4JN]

Employment: allow Americans to earn paid sick time to address their own health needs and the health needs of their families (see S. 631), S2456 [8AP]

Explosives: limit use of cluster munitions (see S. 419), S1011 [28FE]

Families and domestic relations: prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status of any prospective parent or the child involved (see S. 1069), S6297 [9SE]

Family and Medical Leave Act: allow leave to care for a same-sex spouse, domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent with a serious health condition (see S. 857), S3091 [6MY]

——— anniversary (see S. Res. 139), S3372 [13MY]

FDA: ensure valid generic drugs may enter the market (see S. 504), S1269 [7MR]

——— require that genetically engineered food and foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients be labeled accordingly (see S. 809), S2960 [24AP]

Federal employees: provide for the compensation of furloughed employees (see S. 1567), S7101 [1OC]

Financial institutions: advance the ability of credit unions to promote small business growth and economic development opportunities (see S. 968), S3569 [16MY]

——— limit ability of banks to engage in certain risky activities and conflicts of interest and restore certain provisions of law to separate investment banking from commercial banking (see S. 1282), S6379 [11SE]

——— set reasonable capital requirements, limit the government safety net to traditional banking operations, and provide regulatory relief to community banks (see S. 798), S6210 [1AU]

Foreign aid: prohibit application of restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations based on provision of certain health services (see S. 119), S6296 [9SE]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (see S. 981), S4984 [21JN]

Gold Star Wives Day: designate (see S. Res. 67), S1127 [5MR]

Grams, Rod: tribute (see S. Res. 267), S7353 [9OC]

Hathaway, William D.: tribute (see S. Res. 189), S5264 [26JN]

Health: expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities (see S. Res. 128), S3659 [21MY]

——— prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the U.S. (see S. 541), S4793 [20JN]

Horne, Lena Calhoun: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see S. 397), S5527 [8JY]

Horse Protection Act: designate additional unlawful acts, strengthen penalties for violations, and improve Dept. of Agriculture enforcement (see S. 1406), S7576 [28OC]

Immigration: allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their permanent partners for U.S. residence (see S. 296), S1013 [28FE]

——— reform and reduce fraud and abuse in certain visa programs for aliens working temporarily in the U.S. (see S. 600), S3906 [3JN]

Iran: condemn persecution of Baha’is and continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights, impose sanctions for such violations, and call for release of religious prisoners (see S. Res. 75), S4675 [19JN]

IRS: permit issuance of prospective guidance clarifying employment status of individuals for purposes of employment taxes and prevent retroactive assessments relative to such clarifications (see S. 1706), S8566 [9DE]

Land and Water Conservation Fund: provide consistent and reliable authority and funding to maximize effectiveness for future generations (see S. 338), S7500 [15OC]

Lautenberg, Frank R.: tribute (see S. Res. 161), S3955 [4JN]

Mandela, Nelson R.: tribute (see S. Res. 321), S8809 [13DE]

Medicare: authorize the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (see S. 117), S214 [23JA]

——— count a period of outpatient observation in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services (see S. 569), S5621 [10JY]

——— extend certain ambulance add-on payments (see S. 1405), S6379 [11SE]

——— extend Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program and increase payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program (see S. 842), S5149 [25JN]

——— require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs dispensed to low-income individuals under the prescription drug benefit program (see S. 740), S2684 [16AP]

Military and Veterans Caregiver Week: designate (see S. Res. 71), S1270 [7MR]

Minimum wage: increase, and index future increases to the consumer price index (see S. 460), S1127 [5MR]

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day: designate (see S. Res. 248), S6647 [19SE]

National Month of the Military Child: observance (see S. Res. 107), S2897 [23AP]

National Oilheat Research Alliance Act: reauthorize and improve (see S. 913), S3326 [9MY]

National Park Service: mint coins in commemoration of anniversary (see S. 1158), S7063 [30SE]

National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 169), S4406 [12JN]

Older Americans Month: designate (see S. Res. 137), S3326 [9MY]

Peace Corps: subject volunteers to same limitations regarding coverage of abortion services as Peace Corps employees (see S. 813), S3571 [16MY]

Pharmaceuticals: prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market (see S. 214), S1853 [14MR]

Privacy: prohibit bulk collection of business records and warrantless searches of communications and reform surveillance authorities and the operation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (see S. 1551), S7064 [30SE]

Schiappa, David J.: tribute (see S. Res. 212), S6208 [1AU]

Schools: address and take action to prevent bullying and harassment of students (see S. 403), S3615 [20MY]

——— end discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools (see S. 1088), S3954 [4JN]

Senate: require candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form (see S. 375), S2961 [24AP]

Senate Rules: reform filibuster rules to improve daily process (see S. Res. 4), S43 [22JA]

Social Security: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see S. 896), S5969 [25JY]

Taxation: allow credit for amounts paid by a spouse of an Armed Forces member for a new State license or certification required due to permanent change in duty station of such member to another State (see S. 759), S2797 [18AP]

——— eliminate wasteful tax loopholes (see S. 8), S42 [22JA]

——— establish ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses of family members with disabilities (see S. 313), S708 [13FE]

——— expand availability of employee stock ownership plans in S corporations (see S. 742), S3615 [20MY]

——— expand denial of deduction for certain excessive employee remuneration (see S. 1476), S6379 [11SE]

——— expand rehabilitation credit (see S. 1141), S4794 [20JN]

——— impose a tax on certain trading transactions (see S. 410), S1011 [28FE]

——— make biomass fuel property and heating appliances eligible for the residential and commercial renewable energy investment tax credits (see S. 1007), S5908 [24JY]

——— make permanent the minimum low-income housing tax credit rate for unsubsidized buildings and provide a minimum credit rate for existing buildings (see S. 1442), S6207 [1AU]

——— reduce excise tax rate on beer produced domestically by certain qualifying producers (see S. 917), S3326 [9MY]

——— reduce the Federal budget deficit by imposing a minimum effective tax rate for high-income taxpayers (see S. 321), S708 [13FE]

Telephones: improve service in rural areas and express that no entity may unreasonably discriminate against telephone users in those areas (see S. Res. 157), S3844 [23MY]

Unemployment: extend unemployment benefits (see S. 1845), S8977 [18DE]

Veterans: expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (see S. 234), S5567 [9JY]

——— improve veterans service organizations’ access to Federal surplus personal property (see S. 573), S2845 [22AP]

——— reauthorize Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, assist small businesses owned by veterans, and improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services (see S. 6), S42 [22JA]

Vietnam Veterans Day: establish (see S. 409), S2455 [8AP]

Violence Against Women Act: reauthorize (see S. 5), S42 [22JA] (see S. 47), S329 [28JA]

Weather: improve resilience to extreme weather events and prevent worsening of extreme weather conditions (see S. 7), S42 [22JA]

Wildlife: prohibit breeding and private possession of captive big cats except by accredited zoos and facilities and require registration of big cats currently in possession by private owners (see S. 1381), S6023 [29JY]

——— prohibit import, export, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce of any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species (see S. 1463), S6754 [24SE]

Women: ensure reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition (see S. 942), S3571 [16MY]

——— remove deadline for ratification of constitutional amendment to ensure equal rights (see S.J. Res. 15), S3326 [9MY]

World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to the First Special Service Force (see S. 789), S3092 [6MY]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Armed Forces: improve protections for servicemembers and their families (see S. 1579), S7574 [28OC]

Children and youth: provide for youth jobs (see S. 1170), S4481 [13JN]

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate): authorizing expenditures (see S. Res. 48), S871 [26FE] (see S. Res. 243), S6647 [19SE]

Conservation of energy: promote energy efficiency and energy savings in residential buildings (see S. 1200), S4792 [20JN]

Corporations: constitutional amendment to exclude from rights given to natural persons, prohibit corporate spending on elections, and affirm power of Congress and States to regulate corporations and elections (see S. 525), S1710 [12MR] (see S.J. Res. 11), S1786 [13MR]

Credit: require inclusion of credit scores with free annual credit reports provided to consumers (see S. 471), S1229 [6MR]

Dept. of HHS: reauthorize Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Payment Program (see S. 1759), S8457 [21NO]

Dept. of Labor: establish pilot programs to provide employers who employ certain veterans and Armed Forces members wage subsidies and provide career transition services to young veterans (see S. 922), S3326 [9MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess feasibility and advisability of using State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to increase awareness of veterans’ benefits, services, and outreach activities (see S. 927), S3326 [9MY]

——— conduct an education program and peer support program for the education and training of family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders (see S. 1583), S7574 [28OC]

——— cover costs associated with the care of veterans at medical foster homes (see S. 1578), S7574 [28OC]

——— expand and enhance eligibility for health care and services (see S. 1604), S7615 [29OC]

——— extend work-study program for individuals pursuing rehabilitation, education, or training and expand program to veterans’ outreach services provided by congressional offices (see S. 894), S3255 [8MY]

——— improve benefits and assistance to surviving spouses of veterans (see S. 735), S2683 [16AP]

——— improve dental health care (see S. 1586), S7574 [28OC]

——— improve processing of claims for compensation (see S. 928), S3326 [9MY]

——— improve programs and services for homeless veterans (see S. 825), S3028 [25AP]

——— increase access to complementary and alternative medicine and other approaches to wellness and preventive care (see S. 852), S3029 [25AP]

——— provide counseling and treatment for sexual trauma to Armed Forces members, screen veterans for domestic abuse, and report on military sexual trauma and domestic abuse (see S. 1581), S7574 [28OC]

——— provide replacement automobiles for certain disabled veterans and Armed Forces members (see S. 1584), S7574 [28OC]

——— report on the provision of services to veterans with hearing loss and other auditory system injuries and measures that can be taken to address such injuries (see S. 1582), S7574 [28OC]

——— require college courses that are approved for purposes of educational assistance programs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate (see S. 944), S3429 [14MY]

——— update basis for establishing Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance program premium rates (see S. 1585), S7574 [28OC]

Diseases: de-link research and development incentives from drug prices for new medicines to treat HIV/AIDS and stimulate greater sharing of scientific knowledge (see S. 626), S2026 [20MR]

Education: support the community schools model (see S. 844), S3029 [25AP]

EPA: impose carbon pollution fee and use proceeds to provide rebate to consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and regulate hydraulic fracturing (see S. 332), S772 [14FE]

Financial institutions: address the concept of ‘‘Too Big To Fail’’ through improved regulation and breaking up large banks in order to prevent future Government bailouts (see S. 685), S2501 [9AP]

FRS: restrict conflicts of interest on the boards of directors of Federal Reserve banks (see S. 1018), S3761 [22MY]

Health: improve access to oral health care for vulnerable populations (see S. 1522), S6597 [18SE]

——— national policy to provide health care, control costs, and enhance the quality of the health care system (see S. 1782), S8565 [9DE]

Missisquoi and Trout Rivers: designate segments as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System (see S. 1252), S5498 [27JN]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (see S. 1562), S7063 [30SE]

——— reauthorize and improve (see S. 1028), S3843 [23MY]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: allow an earlier start for State health care coverage innovation waivers (see S. 858), S3091 [6MY]

Pharmaceuticals: provide incentives for investment in research and development for new medicines and enhance access to new medicines (see S. 627), S2026 [20MR]

Postal Service: recalculate and restore retirement annuity obligations, eliminate Retiree Health Benefits Fund prefunding requirement, restrict closure of facilities, create innovation incentives, and maintain level of service (see S. 316), S708 [13FE]

Power resources: eliminate certain subsidies for fossil-fuel production (see S. 1762), S8457 [21NO]

——— eliminate certain subsidies for fossil-fuel production and extend certain renewable energy tax incentives (see S. 329), S772 [14FE]

Privacy: limit overbroad surveillance requests and expand reporting requirements (see S. 1168), S4481 [13JN]

Senate: permit collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings (see S. Res. 307), S8361 [20NO]

Taxation: apply payroll taxes to remuneration up to the contribution and benefit base and to remuneration in excess of certain amounts (see S. 500), S1269 [7MR]

——— end deferral of foreign source income of U.S. companies, close certain foreign tax credit loopholes, prevent U.S. tax avoidance, and eliminate tax loopholes for big oil companies (see S. 250), S519 [7FE]

Thaddeus Stevens Post Office, Danville, VT: designate (see S. 885), S3159 [7MY]

Veterans: appropriate funds necessary for benefits and services in the event of a Government shutdown (see S. 1564), S7063 [30SE]

——— extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (see S. 851), S3029 [25AP]

——— increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see S. 893), S3255 [8MY]

Certificates of election

Senate, S4 [3JA]

Cloture motions

Archuleta, Katherine: nomination to be OPM Director, S7565 [28OC], S7646 [30OC]

Connor, Michael L.: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of the Interior, S8838 [16DE]

Davis, Brian J.: nomination to be district judge, S8837 [16DE], S9082 [20DE]

Engler, Richard J.: nomination to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, S8838 [16DE]

Feldblum, Chai R.: nomination to the EEOC, S8558 [9DE], S8677 [12DE]

Gibson, Sloan D.: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S8837 [16DE]

Higginbottom, Heather A.: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of State for Management and Resources, S8560 [9DE], S8783 [13DE]

James, Deborah Lee: nomination to be Sec. of the Air Force, S8560 [9DE], S8763 [12DE]

Johnson, Jeh C.: nomination to be Sec. of Homeland Security, S8560 [9DE], S8834 [16DE]

Jones, B. Todd: nomination to be ATF Director, S5994 [29JY], S6099 [31JY]

Koskinen, John A.: nomination to be IRS Commissioner, S8837 [16DE], S9081 [20DE]

Mayorkas, Alejandro N.: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of Homeland Security, S8836 [16DE], S9068 [19DE]

McCafferty, Landya B.: nomination to be district judge, S8559 [9DE], S8717 [12DE]

McCarthy, Regina: nomination to be EPA Administrator, S5653 [11JY], S5785 [18JY]

Morris, Brian: nomination to be district judge, S8559 [9DE], S8750 [12DE]

Patterson, Anne W.: nomination to be Assistant Sec. of State for Near Eastern Affairs, S8560 [9DE], S8799 [13DE]

Perez, Thomas E.: nomination to be Sec. of Labor, S5653 [11JY], S5736 [17JY]

Power, Samantha: nomination to be U.N. Ambassador, S5994 [29JY]

Raskin, Sarah Bloom: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of the Treasury, S8838 [16DE]

Sewall, Sarah: nomination to be Under Sec. of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, S8837 [16DE]

Srinivasan, Srikanth: nomination to be circuit judge, S3698 [21MY]

Unemployment: extend unemployment benefits (S. 1845), S9083 [20DE]

Wald, Patricia M.: nomination to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, S8559 [9DE], S8723 [12DE]

Watt, Representative: nomination to be Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, S7566 [28OC], S7706 [31OC], S8585 [10DE]

Watters, Susan P.: nomination to be district judge, S8560 [9DE], S8757 [12DE]

Wolford, Elizabeth A.: nomination to be district judge, S8559 [9DE], S8711 [12DE]

Wright, Jessica Garfola: nomination to be Under Sec. of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, S8838 [16DE]

Yellen, Janet L.: nomination to be FRS Board of Governors Chairman, S8837 [16DE], S9083 [20DE]

Essays

State of the Union: Alexandra McFarland, S769• [14FE]

——— Allie Bull, S703 [13FE]

——— Annie Arthur, S702 [13FE]

——— Austin Price, S771• [14FE]

——— Benjamin Gilbert, S768• [14FE]

——— Caroline Braun, S649• [12FE]

——— Christie Kershaw, S769• [14FE]

——— Damon Fulcher, S768• [14FE]

——— Derryk O’Grady, S770• [14FE]

——— Emily Ellsworth, S649• [12FE]

——— Emma Davitt, S703 [13FE]

——— Gina Chiola, S650• [12FE]

——— Jeannine Bissonette, S702 [13FE]

——— Jonah Blatt, S703 [13FE]

——— Liam Hayes, S769• [14FE]

——— Rachel Moore, S770• [14FE]

——— Rebecca Potter, S771• [14FE]

——— Riley Forbes, S768• [14FE]

——— Robert Pennypacker, S771• [14FE]

——— Saleban Olow, S770• [14FE]

——— Sonia Lowen, S769• [14FE]

——— Sydney Alderman, S702 [13FE]

——— Taryn Druge, S704 [13FE]

——— Tyler Bradley, S702 [13FE]

Letters

Protect benefits of disabled veterans by not enacting a chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for benefits: Barry A. Jesinoski, DAV, S2086 [21MR]

——— James E. Koutz, American Legion, S2085 [21MR]

——— several veterans organizations, S2085 [21MR]

Oaths of office

Senate, S5 [3JA]

Remarks

Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs (S. 954), S3637, S3639 [21MY], S3731, S3750 [22MY], S3797 [23MY]

Appropriations: making continuing, S7509 [16OC]

——— making continuing (H.J. Res. 59), S6629, S6631 [19SE], S6975 [27SE]

——— making continuing (H.J. Res. 59), House amendment, S8898 [17DE]

——— making continuing (H.J. Res. 59), House amendments, S7024, S7050 [30SE], S7097 [1OC], S7134 [2OC], S7179 [4OC], S7253, S7255 [7OC]

——— making continuing (H.J. Res. 59), motion to proceed, S6695 [24SE]

Armed Forces: authorize use against Syria in response to use of chemical weapons (S.J. Res. 21), motion to proceed, S6314 [10SE]

Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act: set sunset date, S5811 [23JY], S5867–S5869, S5892 [24JY]

Budget: allocation of funds, S6564 [18SE]

——— deficit, S2933 [24AP], S7393 [11OC], S7713 [31OC]

——— setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2023, S8898 [17DE]

——— setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2023 (S. Con. Res. 8), S2082, S2137 [21MR], S2241, S2286, S2287 [22MR], S7712 [31OC], S7814 [5NO]

CBO: release of ‘‘Updated Budget Projections—Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023’’ report, S3499 [15MY]

——— use of chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate the cost-of-living adjustments in benefits for Social Security, disabilities, and veterans, S2241, S2286, S2287 [22MR]

CFTC: investigate manipulation of fuel prices, S3638 [21MY]

——— take certain actions to reduce excessive speculation in energy markets, S3638 [21MY]

Climate: global warming, S5733–S5735 [17JY], S8627 [11DE]

——— impact of global warming on frequency and intensity of natural disasters, S5733–S5735 [17JY]

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, S5735 [17JY]

——— impact of partisanship, S7024 [30SE]

Conservation of energy: promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry (S. 1392), S6424 [12SE]

Cordray, Richard: nomination to be Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director, S5697 [16JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: allow States to deputize certain nonprofit organizations and area agencies on aging to conduct Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program interviews for senior citizens, S3731 [22MY]

——— study impact of global warming on agriculture, S3731 [22MY]

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction, S9021 [19DE]

Dept. of Education: allow continuation of existing Federal student loan servicing contracts for not-for-profit servicers, S8898 [17DE]

——— establish interest rates for new student loans made on or after a certain date (H.R. 1911), S5811 [23JY], S5867, S5892 [24JY]

——— extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans, S5226 [26JN]

——— extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans through Tax Code modifications relative to pension plans (S. 1238), motion to proceed, S5534 [9JY]

——— make Federal student loans more affordable by allowing for adjustable-rate loans, income-based repayment caps, and cap on Federal loan consolidation rate (S. 1241), S5794 [18JY]

Dept. of HHS: Community Health Center Program funding, S2137 [21MR]

Dept. of Justice: allegations of secretly obtaining phone records of Associated Press (news service) reporters, S4203 [11JN]

Dept. of Labor: establish pilot programs to provide employers who employ certain veterans and Armed Forces members wage subsidies and provide career transition services to young veterans (S. 922), S3332 [9MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: extend work-study program for individuals pursuing rehabilitation, education, or training and expand program to veterans’ outreach services provided by congressional offices (S. 894), S3259 [8MY]

——— improve benefits and assistance to surviving spouses of veterans (S. 735), S2686 [16AP]

——— improve health care access, S7136 [2OC]

——— improve processing of claims for compensation (S. 928), S3337 [9MY]

——— improve programs and services for homeless veterans (S. 825), S3036 [25AP]

——— increase access to complementary and alternative medicine and other approaches to wellness and preventive care (S. 852), S3042 [25AP]

——— protect benefits of disabled veterans by not enacting a chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for benefits, S2083 [21MR]

——— require college courses that are approved for purposes of educational assistance programs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate (S. 944), S3432 [14MY]

——— require college courses that are approved for purposes of educational assistance programs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate (S. 944), unanimous-consent request, S8950 [18DE]

Economy: analysis of causes and potential remedies of current economic conditions and the deficit, S2082 [21MR]

——— impact of budget sequestration, S842 [26FE], S3500 [15MY], S6631 [19SE]

——— impact of unequal distribution of wealth and income, S842 [26FE], S2933–S2935 [24AP], S3499 [15MY], S3562 [16MY], S6564 [18SE], S6629, S6631 [19SE], S7510 [16OC], S7712 [31OC], S8626 [11DE]

——— importance of job creation, S3499 [15MY], S8625 [11DE]

——— national objectives priority assignments, S897 [27FE], S7712–S7714 [31OC], S7814 [5NO]

——— prevent use of chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security or veteran benefits or to increase low- and middle-class tax burden (S. Con. Res. 15), S2968, S2969, S2970 [24AP]

——— revitalize the middle class, S3499 [15MY], S3562 [16MY], S6564 [18SE], S6629 [19SE], S7394 [11OC], S7510 [16OC]

Employment: establish a youth summer employment program, S4466 [13JN]

EPA: impose carbon pollution fee and use proceeds to provide rebate to consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and regulate hydraulic fracturing (S. 332), S5735 [17JY]

Federal employees: tribute, S7097 [1OC]

Financial institutions: address the concept of ‘‘Too Big To Fail’’ through improved regulation and breaking up large banks in order to prevent future Government bailouts, S8627 [11DE]

Floods: permit use of State standards when providing Federal reimbursements for bridge and culvert replacements after natural disasters, S3396, S3411, S3418 [14MY]

Food: allow States to require labels on any food, beverage, or other edible products sold that contain, or are produced with, a genetically engineered material, S3731, S3750 [22MY], S3797 [23MY]

Government: shutdown relative to budget process, S6629 [19SE], S6975 [27SE], S7024, S7050 [30SE], S7097 [1OC], S7134 [2OC], S7178 [4OC], S7253, S7255 [7OC], S7393 [11OC], S7509 [16OC]

Immigration: impact of guest worker program expansion on youth employment, S4557 [18JN]

——— reform and reduce fraud and abuse in certain visa programs for aliens working temporarily in the U.S., S3929 [4JN]

——— reform (S. 744), S3929 [4JN], S4465 [13JN], S4557 [18JN]

Insurance: condition provision of health insurance premium and cost-sharing subsidies upon a certification that a program to verify household income and other qualifications for such subsidies is operational (H.R. 2775), S7509 [16OC]

Lew, Jacob J.: nomination to be Sec. of the Treasury, S897, S913 [27FE]

Medal of Honor: award to Bennie G. Adkins, Donald P. Sloat, and certain other veterans who were previously recommended (H.R. 3304), House amendment, S9021 [19DE]

Medicare: historical assessment, S7025 [30SE]

——— solvency, S8627 [11DE]

Minimum wage: increase, S6149 [1AU], S6696 [24SE], S8626 [11DE]

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 262), S6968 [26SE]

NIH: impact of Government shutdown, S7099 [1OC]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (S. 1562), S7815 [5NO]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, S8627 [11DE]

——— implementation, S7024 [30SE], S7099 [1OC], S7135 [2OC]

——— prohibit funding to implement, S6629 [19SE], S6695 [24SE], S6975 [27SE]

Perez, Thomas E.: nomination to be Sec. of Labor, S5733 [17JY]

Petroleum: gasoline price levels, S3637–S3639 [21MY]

Point of order, S2287 [22MR]

Pope Francis: address global financial system, S3561–S3563 [16MY]

Postal Service: improve, sustain, and transform, S3317 [9MY]

——— recalculate and restore retirement annuity obligations, eliminate Retiree Health Benefits Fund prefunding requirement, restrict closure of facilities, create innovation incentives, and maintain level of service (S. 316), S3317–S3319 [9MY]

Privacy: prohibit any U.S. agency, including the National Security Agency, from searching telephone records of U.S. citizens without a warrant based on probable cause, S4203 [11JN]

Public debt: ceiling, S7135 [2OC], S7509 [16OC]

——— temporarily suspend the public debt ceiling (S. 1569), motion to proceed, S7393 [11OC]

Republican Party: impact of Tea Party minority on party majority, S7025 [30SE], S7098 [1OC], S7136 [2OC], S7253, S7255 [7OC]

——— national agenda, S6630 [19SE], S6696 [24SE]

Senate: importance of bipartisanship, S5697 [16JY]

Senate Rules: reform filibuster rules to improve daily process, S5697 [16JY]

Social Security: funding, S8626 [11DE]

——— historical assessment, S7024 [30SE]

Squier, Ken: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) Buddy Shuman Award recipient, S208• [23JA]

Taxation: prohibit legislation that would increase taxes on veterans, S2287 [22MR]

——— repeal fossil fuel subsidies for large oil companies, S5735 [17JY]

——— restrict use of abusive tax shelters and offshore tax havens to inappropriately avoid Federal taxation, S2083 [21MR]

Unemployment: rates, S3929 [4JN]

Veterans: extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (S. 851), S3042 [25AP], S8453 [21NO]

——— increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (S. 893), S3258 [8MY], S3528 [15MY]

——— reauthorize Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, assist small businesses owned by veterans, and improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services (S. 6), S277 [24JA]

——— reduce unemployment by ensuring training and transition assistance and providing incentives to employers for hiring veterans, S277 [24JA]

War: recognize impact of financial costs on U.S. economy and refocus efforts on addressing domestic priorities, S6314–S6316 [10SE], S7713 [31OC]

Water: provide for conservation and development of water and related resources and authorize Corps of Engineers to construct various projects to improve rivers and harbors (S. 601), S3396, S3411, S3418 [14MY]

Reports filed

Activities During the 111th Congress: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. Rept. 113–1), S518 [7FE]

Activities During the 112th Congress: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. Rept. 113–125), S8809 [13DE]

Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 851) (S. Rept. 113–107), S6517 [17SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Expansion of Definition of Homeless Veteran for Purposes of Benefits: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 287) (S. Rept. 113–110), S6683 [23SE]

Expenditures: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. Res. 48), S870 [26FE]

——— Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. Res. 233), S6517 [17SE]

——— Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. Res. 243), S6646 [19SE]

Nomination of Constance B. Tobias To Be Board of Veterans’ Appeals Chairman: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate), S8565 [9DE]

Nomination of Linda A. Schwartz To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate), S8565 [9DE]

Nomination of Sloan D. Gibson To Be Deputy Sec. of Veterans Affairs: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate), S8565 [9DE]

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 893) (S. Rept. 113–87), S6295 [9SE]

Veterans’ Educational Transition Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 944) (S. Rept. 113–123), S8565 [9DE]

Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 572) (S. Rept. 113–86), S6295 [9SE]

Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 131) (S. Rept. 113–106), S6517 [17SE]

Rules

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate), S764 [14FE]

Statements

No Empirical Basis for Reducing the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment: several economists and social insurance experts, S2969 [24AP]

Opposition to Attaching Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendments to Continuing Appropriations Legislation: Several Republican Members of Congress, S7098 [1OC], S7135 [2OC]

Texts of

S. 735, Survivor Benefits Improvement Act, S2686 [16AP]

S. 825, Homeless Veterans Prevention Act, S3037 [25AP]

S. 851, Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act, S3042 [25AP]

S. 852, Veterans’ Health Promotion Act, S3043–S3045 [25AP]

S. 893, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, S3259 [8MY]

S. 894, Dept. of Veterans Affairs work-study program extension for individuals pursuing rehabilitation, education, or training and expand program to veterans’ outreach services provided by congressional offices, S3259 [8MY]

S. 922, Veterans Equipped for Success Act, S3333–S3337 [9MY]

S. 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act, S3338–S3341 [9MY]

S. 944, Veterans’ Educational Transition Act, S3432 [14MY]

Tributes

Condon, Kathryn A., S3984• [6JN]

McCarthy, Mary Ellen, S8598• [10DE]

Murray, Senator, S2082 [21MR]

Wilson, Arthur H., S3951• [4JN]