I find it totally unacceptable, one, that the public doesn't know, that local elected officials--local election officials don't know.

I do not believe our country is made safer by holding this information back from the American public.

I think we need a re-examination of this policy.

we are only as strong as our weakest link.

21 states is almost half the country.

It was, I think, on the 21st of June that the U.S. and China held the first iteration of the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue.

I believe that those entities should include al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

It is critical to the future security of the United States and our friends and allies that Congress provide the President with proper authorities to target and combat ISIL and its affiliates.

it is appropriate and indeed wise for Congress to create a framework that conveys the will of the American public regarding the parameters of such force employment.

I believe this basic approach-geographic specification and a procedure to extend it- is appropriate and operationally feasible.

Mr. President, I also rise to talk about the healthcare of every American. This is critically important to every person and every family in this country. It is critically important to every local, State, and Federal budget in this country…

I believe this approach meets the principle of balancing prudent oversight and effective execution.

This is no longer acceptable. To permit this situation to continue is a dereliction of Congress' duty, under the Constitution, to direct and regulate the President's use of his commander-in-chief authority in activities of war.

It is a failure of our commitment to our brave service men and women when we do not clearly define the battle and the objectives for which they must fight and risk their lives.

It is hard to craft an authorization against non-state actors.

Lessons learned after 16 years--if we cannot learn some things after 16 years of war, shame on us.

I do think, as Senator Kaine was saying, it creates an incentive structure that drives Congress to take on its role in the conversation.

It is time for Congress to act.