Path you have created, inspiring them with the potency of your powerful presence. May they trust you in times of adversity and prosperity, knowing that they will reap a productive harvest if they persevere. Lord, keep them from underestimating the power of your great name, inspiring them never to forget that nothing is impossible with you. Give them the wisdom to solve the hard problems of our times and grace to live in harmony with one another. We pray in your strong name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge f allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington, d. C. , may 10, 2016. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable rob portman
Recently, retired Justice Stevens was talking about the Death Penalty when writing a book review and he is quoting from decision he authored in gardner versus florida in 1977, just a year after greg for he said that this penalty differs from other punishments in both its severity and finality. From the point of view of society, the action is taking the life of one of its citizens, differing from any other legitimate state action. It is of vital importance that the defendant that any decision to impose the Death Penalty be and appear to be based on reason rather than emotion. I think that this quote really tells you a lot about what kind of reasons rather than a motion antiDeath Penalty advocates have tried to come up with what Death Penalty advocates have tried to come up with. It is valuable to keep in mind that this point north america as a unique country, pretty much the only industrialized country that retains the Death Penalty. When it was abolished in European Countries, it was a
The new military act you refer to is an important contribution to democracy. But we also have to make sure that we safeguard and protect the integrity of the voter. And we have to make sure that the machinery that we use is not used to subvert the very vote that were trying to lift up. [applause] so i got you. There are places like oregon that are experimenting and its a positive thing. But im going to say this, brother. Im on twitter. Bottom line the bottom line is we are going to use those social media tools. But we also have to engage where people are. There are people who are not plugged in and need to cast a ballot. There are some who are and they can have alternatives. But our job is to organize that community in the broadest sense and link issues of importance to what they do. You talk about economic jeff, my last point. Payday lenders is a scourge, a scourge in our community. [applause] their are potential regulations that are going to be issued soon determined by the Obama Adm
Importing construction materials. Those measures monitor the exclusively civilian use of all materials entering under that mechanism. It has worked, allowed successful implementation of crucial projects and builds trust. The reconstruction now needed can only be addressed with the involvement of the Palestinian Authority and the private sector in gaza meaning larger quantities of materials required to enter gaza. We are treed explore how the mechanism can be expanded to monitor the private Construction Program in gaza. Mr. President , the engagement of the community will be indispense toible help gaza back on its feet. We support todays announcement once a durable ceasefire is in place and once the conditions have been established. I am heartened the government of National Consensus is resolved to spearhead the ffort. In cooperation with the United Nations and other partners, last week i met with the deputy rime minister in gaza. I would have to see with my own eyes the level of destru
California and the Republican Party and the conservative movement. Youre fortunate in utah to have a strong base of conservativism. We do not have that in california. I was wondering, for republicans and conservatives like us, can you comment on how we might able to regain the state and bring it back to the reagan days . As to the second question, i am only two states away, so i am happy to provide you with some conservative representation in washington. It turns out that your two senators are not conservative. I dont know if you knew that. [laughter] we do occasionally agree on things. I think it leaves not only me, but also the rest of us wondering if something has gone terribly wrong when we vote on the same thing. I think it relates back to the question that we asked a minute ago. The fact we have to do a better job explaining not just what we are against, there is always a place for that, but what we are for. Just as importantly, why we are for it. We are not just about tearing do