Speeches

"From Dickens to Seuss, great writers can teach us and warn us about the dangers of obstinacy and intransigence. Refusing to act has surely led us to a very bleak place indeed." '

"Its not just that its in the lake Lake Michigan, less than a mile from my house with all due respect, you have the luxury of drinking bottled water here. You dont have that luxury everywhere, there are people who cant afford it, and have to drink mercury and cadmium. Its just necessary." '

"This bill is being touted as a budgetary trade-off, but there are no trade offs in this bill, there are only cuts. Investments in our infrastructure are needed more than ever, yet this bill makes some of the most significant cuts to vital transportation programs in decades." '

We must craft a plan that focuses on working with the business community, hand-in-hand, to be competitive internationally....Above all we must compromise, work together, and we must be inventive and creative.'

"Even though I personally oppose it, my amendment would not affect the current ban on federal dollars being used for abortion services. It would, however, allow local D.C. dollars to be used for such services. At its core, this is not just an issue of choice, its an issue of whether the members here today truly support local autonomy and a federalist system." '

"I dont believe that anyone is born with an inclination to hate, but sometimes, even in the year 2013, its easy to forget." '

"So, with all due respect, the ban on D.C. abortion services is seriously harmful, all women regardless of their economic situation have a right to choose. By taking away this funding for services for those who can't afford it, we are in effect taking

"The National Nuclear Security Administration requested a 45 percent increase for a gold-plated upgrade plan for the B61 nuclear bomb." '