I went to Tamms, a state facility in Illinois, where we have isolation, and they took me into what was--almost an incredible experience.

Mr. President, today the Senate turns to another judicial nomination, that of Mary Geiger Lewis, to be U.S. district judge for the District of South Carolina. Once again, for the third time this month, we have a nonconsensus nominee…

While I agree that we need to make structural reforms to our health care entitlements to reign in their long-term costs, I think we need to temper our short-term expectations.

If the Republican Majority really wanted to help species recover, they would be adding funds for endangered species restoration, not subtracting them.

This week on the House Floor, Republicans are pursuing their great American giveaway.

I think the rule of law is one of the things that makes this country great, and access to the courts is very important.

Today's hearing on the Endangered Species Act is another example of the great American giveaway.

Do you believe that we should limit the ability of businesses, like oil and gas producers, from challenging agency actions under the Endangered Species Act?

I would not support limiting access to our courts by anyone.

I think that would be a good step. Funding for State conservation efforts are where those activities can best occur.

Now, 21 million is two-tenths of 1 percent of 8.7 billion.

I think we have to stand up for those oil and gas companies and their right to have access to the courts.

The Federal Government ought to be building more schools.

I do not think anyone, when they passed the Endangered Species Act, expected a community... to have to wait over a decade just for the Federal bureaucrat to say, 'OK, you can start construction on a school.'

This regulatory roadblock is blocking 500 construction jobs, and how many thousands of kids from being able to be educated in their neighborhood.

The Judgment fund was established in order to pay awards and attorney fees in cases where judges find that the Federal Government has violated the law, any law.

The Endangered Species Act has done exactly what it was intended to do, help wildlife and plants and fish survive.

help wildlife, plants, and fish survive.