Well, because members of Congress have pensions, and they're worried about what would happen if they were ever charged with a crime.

Including all of the felonies you would expect: bribery and -- and various items of public corruption, to make sure that a lawmaker, who is convicted of breaking the law, suffers the penalty and doesn't get a taxpayer-funded pension.

I think the mood of the leadership here in Washington, D.C., is that we need to restore the confidence of the people of America back in our Congress.

The movement is gaining steam. We have seen it in both the Rhode Island trial and in three or four appellate court decisions, all of which have ruled against the lead paint industry.

The worst of all worlds be a small, short surge of U.S. forces. We have tried small surges in the past, and they have been ineffective, because our commanders lacked the forces necessary to hold territory after it was cleared.

The surge is a bad idea. The president said he was going to listen to his commanders. If he's listening to his commanders, he can't do this.

I think it's essential that we deny a pension to any member of Congress convicted of a felony.

Both Republican and Democratic senators expressed grave concern about the situation in Iraq. I personally indicated that an escalation of troop levels in Iraq was a mistake.

Democrats are now in control. They can't just criticize. They are going to have to come up with constructive alternatives.

I think it's essential that we deny a pension to any member of Congress convicted of a felony.

Even though I was raised here, my mother always was able to instill in me that I was as good as anybody else.

We know, from experience, that majorities come and they go. Majorities are very fragile. And majorities must work with minorities to make that lasting change.

Remove our troops from this civil war.

Fifty-one to 49 -- some may look at this as a composition for gridlock, a recipe for gridlock. But I see this as a unique opportunity.

Completing the mission in Iraq is the president's job. And we will do everything to assist the commander in chief to ensure his responsibilities.

I am a pessimist about everything in life. That way I have fewer disappointments.

We filed exploratory papers today, and so the process is moving forward on that front.

I find that evangelical leaders and conservative Christians around the country respect people who share their values. And we're on the same page when it comes to values.