I have found so much of what I have heard that I can agree with. I certainly agree that we ought to be able to pass our annual appropriations bills. I certainly agree that we should prevent Federal Government shutdowns, which waste…

Mr. Pesident, there are some for whom public service simply isn't a choice; it runs through their veins as a calling and a force that draws them to answer an undeniable call. Tom Udall is one of those people, and when the curtain closes on…

Should we be able to represent our constituents? Of course. He and I agree, and he and I have agreed on a lot of different things, especially constitutional issues, in this body. And I share his concern of suddenly being handed a piece of…

Well, thank you very much, Senator. And let me just say this: In March, as Senator Hawley indicated, we came together, and I had the same experience in Vermont. People in desperation called the office: When can we get the check? We…

this country faces an unprecedented crisis in terms of the pandemic and the economic meltdown. I understand that negotiations are currently going on in terms of coming up with an economic package dealing with COVID-19 relief, and I applaud…

I will insist that any agreement in terms of a COVID-19 relief package must include not only strong unemployment benefits but a $1,200 direct payment for the working families of this country, similarly structured to what was included in…

we are currently in the midst of the worst moment of the pandemic up until now. We have recordbreaking numbers of deaths, of diagnoses of people with COVID-19, of hospitals unable to accommodate even more people. And in the midst of this…

when Lamar Alexander came to the Senate in 2002, he brought with him a wealth of experience and years of service to the State of Tennessee. As a Senator, he has remained a strong advocate for his State and its citizens, and as a colleague…

I have had the privilege of serving with many, many Senators of both parties and with very many whom I have applauded. Some stand out specially--some for their longevity and some for who they are. Doug Jones stands out for who he is. I…

Nobody wants to shut down the government, but I think the answer American people want their government to respond to the terrible crises that they are facing today, and you just can't walk away from that.

This is a manifestation of the contempt that the United States government and the Republican leadership of the Senate have for the working people of this country.

Let us be very, very clear that Trump happens, among his many, many deficiencies, being a pathological liar and a racist, et cetera. He also happens not to believe in democracy.

That is unacceptable. And if it means that my colleagues and I don't leave Washington during the Christmas break, and nobody wants to get out of here more than I, but I think that's what we have to look at. We got to act.

The American people are hurting.

The ultimate responsibility lies on a do-nothing U.S. Senate led by McConnell, who's much more interested in protecting corporate interests in terms of liability for their irresponsible activities than representing the needs of the working…

What the Republican leadership is saying is, you know, we're just going to put a very little amount of money into the needs of the American people right now, that is unacceptable.

So, what we are about right now are people who are trying to undermine American democracy, the will of the people and the election.

It would be outrageous and simply unacceptable for members of Congress to go home to their families, when tens of millions of working-class families in this country are facing economic desperation.