We must be suspicious of legal classifications based solely on sexual orr orientation. And we must endeavor in all of our efforts to uphold and advance the values that once led our forbearers to declare unequivocally that all are created equal and entitled to equal opportunity. Now, this bed bedrock principles immutable, timeless, and it goes to the very heart of a what this country has always stood for even though the cause of civil rights has shown our understanding of it evolves over time. As i suggest after the administrations decision on doma was announced, americas most treasured ideals were not put into action or given the full force of law in a single instant. On the contrary, our ideals are continually advanced as our Justice Systems and as our union are strengthened. And as social science, human experience, legislation and judicial decisions expand the circle of those who are entitled to the protections and rights enumerated by the constitution. As we gather here in washingto
Mr. Sanders mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from vermont. Mr. Sanders i ask that the quorum call be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection. Morning business is closed. Under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to s. 1982, which the clerk will now report. The clerk motion to proceed to the consideration of s. 1982, a bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes. The presiding officer the senator from vermont. Mr. Sanders thank you, mr. President. Let me ask unanimous consent that jason dean, my military fellow, be given floor privileges for the remainder of this congress. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Sanders mr. President , let me also thank senator murray, senator durbin, senator blumenthal for their very thoughtful and important remarks regarding the needs of veterans and why it is absolutely imperative that we pass this comprehensive veteran
Quorum call mrs. Murray mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from washington. Mrs. Murray mr. President , i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be lifted. The presiding officer without objection. Mrs. Murray mr. President , i come to the floor today to introduce the military and veteran Caregiver Services improvement act. Mr. President , this is a bill that will make really critical improvements to how we support our why i am and injured veterans our ill and injured veterans and their caregivers. And i am especially pleased to be joined by our former colleague, senator Elizabeth Dole, who has come here on the floor and has been such a tremendous and invaluable person in working to bring these caregiver issues to national attention. And i really appreciate her being here and being such a champion on this and a leader. She has brought people from all over the country together to make a difference for our caregivers and for our veterans. We also have many of the very caregi
James walter green, who has been nominated by the president to serve as u. S. Attorney for the middle district in louisiana. I was very pleased to recommend mr. Green to the president for his consideration. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote with me to confirm him today. He has served our country in a variety of capacities, most notably 20 years in military service. He has been involved in multiple deployments as the recipient of numerous military awards, including Defense Meritorious Service award, navymarine corps commendation medal, and the Iraq Campaign medal. Not only is he a strong patriot and Extraordinary Service to our country, but in addition, he has also served for 15 years in a variety of capacities in this office, supporting their work through republican and democratic administrations. He comes highly recommended by a broad Cross Section of individuals in my state, and im just really pleased the caliber of person that i was able to recommend, this kind of caliber, highc
Mr. Hatch madam president , i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded. The presiding officer the senate is not in a quorum call. Mr. Hatch okay. Then, madam president . The presiding officer th the senator from utah. Mr. Hatch i rise to speak about the process weve been seeing here in the senate when it comes to settling major pie pieces of legislation. If you look at how the senate operates these days, i dont think anyone would say that were the greatest deliberative body anymore. We no longer have real debates, most bills dont go through committee where they can be refined and improved, and when the Senate Democratic leadership decides to bring a bill to the floor, we are far more often than not blocked from offering any amendments. The unimhoimen unemployment inse legislation before us is a good example. Republicans have filed dozens of amendments to this bill. Some of them would definitely improve the u. I. Lels. Others would address others would address the underly