I'm also proud to lead bipartisan legislation in the Senate that would examine how our national debt impacts our national security.

Michigan farmers feed and fuel the world, and this Farm Bill brings much-needed certainty to the producers who keep America's food supply strong.

Failure to address the national debt would mean serious economic harm for Americans in the form of higher interest rates, less money to support critical federal services, and slowed economic growth.

I fought tooth-and-nail to pass Dodd Frank to hold financial institutions accountable and prevent another economic catastrophe that devastated countless Michiganders.

My state desperately needs these investments. This is old, aging infrastructure that needs to be improved to prevent the kinds of things we are seeing in Northern Michigan now.

Our nation’s leading economists are telling us point blank, we simply don’t have time to waste.

The Postal Service doesn’t care which politicians you may support, its only priority is to deliver the mail to every community in the country.

This critical legislation will ensure veterans receive the benefits they have so rightfully earned, support our military families who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and modernize our military installations for next-generation…

I encourage you to follow the example set by President Ford and the alumni who have come before you.

No matter where or how you choose to serve, you all have the skills and talent needed to build coalitions, to effect change, and to make a big impact on the complex issues we face today.

As new graduates, I know you will also continue to seek out ways to stay actively involved in your community.

We must ensure our pipeline infrastructure remains strong. This bipartisan bill will help protect both public safety and our environment by working to prevent accidents and improve protections for this critical infrastructure.

You know aging dams and increasingly frequent storms and more severe storms are basically all converging to create a real public safety challenge. We have no time to waste.

We face big challenges, and they will require big solutions. Our democracy is at its best when we work together.

I’m confident that all of you here today will go on to successful careers in public service and we desperately need your skills, your talent, and your knowledge.

America’s hardworking farmers deserve policies that reflect the realities they face today.

I’m proud this bill has a provision I fought for to establish a Center of Excellence in the Great Lakes region to strengthen our ability to detect and respond to potential dangerous pipeline leaks.

The Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a critical asset in safeguarding our nation’s security.