Mr. President, today the Senate has passed legislation that will make a historic investment in our children by approving the first increase in real terms of the reimbursement rate for school lunches in 40 years. Now 10,000 children a year…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. Mr. Chairman, this is about keeping faith with the American public. It's not the end, but it's an important beginning. Large oil companies pay some of the lowest fees to American taxpayers compared to…

This is the home stretch. We have had examples, for the last 14 years that I've been in Congress, where communities are struggling to figure out how to put the pieces together. I commend the committee for its work to try and give the tools…

I appreciate the chairman's courtesy for these 2 valuable minutes, and I want to use them to focus on three basic points. First and foremost, it is true that the administration advanced an economic recovery package that we had hoped would…

This is where we heard feedback, the chairman in the committee responded to make it easier for businesses to accommodate the change in the future, while still making the basic objectives. I strongly urge our colleagues to listen to the…

The current article of the New Yorker magazine has a thoughtful article from Atul Gawande, ``What medicine should do when it can't save your life.'' It focuses on those critical areas of end of life. It deals with fascinating studies that…

These are precisely the types of programs that we should be concentrating on because they stretch dollars, because they help promote the activities back on the ground in our districts, and, in fact, they are supported by the people who…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, and I commend the subcommittee on its work to refine the administration's proposal, reduce it a billion dollars, but nonetheless deal with the challenges that face the American people. And Mr. Olver…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in allowing me to speak on this rule. Madam Speaker, embedded here in this legislation for Transportation- HUD is the Livable Communities Initiative, a visionary, popular, and important program of the…

I thank my colleague. I especially appreciate his kind words about a piece of legislation Senator Gregg and I sat for the better part of 2 years working on. I think everyone appreciates colleagues supporting their legislation. I appreciate…

The other aspect of the Recovery Act, I think, that reaffirms this point with respect to the complexity is the Internal Revenue Service puts out what they call their annual ``oops'' list. This is the list of the 10 most common mistakes…

Mr. President, I wish to speak to the proceedings that have just taken place this evening and try to put them in some context. What we have had before this Chamber is a bill that is very important to putting the American economy back on…

Madam President, I also rise to discuss provisions of this bill and would like to begin by saying, when one gets into the details, you see there is a spectacular array of provisions that have been put together by the Small Business…

This bill contains many worthy items, including a substantial investment in our Veterans Affairs programs. A strong safety net for our veterans is more important than ever, particularly in Oregon, where returning Guard and Reserve members…

I am proud to support H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act. This legislation is an important step for consumers and animals. It is also basic common sense. It removes a loophole that has kept consumers from knowing what they're buying…

I am proud today to support House Resolution 1366, Recognizing and Honoring the Freight Rail Industry. Freight rail is an important part of our transportation system because of the unique role that it plays as both an economical and…

I appreciate my colleagues raising the issue of Congressional oversight in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the debate here today. I share their deep reservations about our engagement in the region, though I disagree with their invocation of…

As a nation, we face challenges ranging from education shortfalls and growing energy needs to a slowly recovering job market. We cannot afford to escalate the Afghan war with a credit card. The mounting loss of life and widespread…