We're excited for this day and ready for the work ahead.

The central question facing us is no longer big Government or small Government.

The Democratic Party must be on the cutting edge of this until we reach our real goal.

I rather think the Founding Fathers would enjoy what is going on here today because we are debating a lot of first principles of American government.

We have done everything we could to minimize those risks.

Every American knows that we are living in a time of great change.

I think that she should do that.

We have bent over backwards to reach good faith, honorable, principled compromise.

I think the American people—I would just remind the American people, we've been through this for 4 years now.

I've been for that since 1993.

He was a great statesman.

I'm prepared to just stay all day.

This bill is a step in the right direction— but only a step.

It is morally indefensible to hold needed Government services and hard-working Government employees hostage in a political battle.

At this point, the Congress should work with me to reach agreement on these six measures.

Let us be clear: there was absolutely no excuse for this shutdown.

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Protocol.

I want to compliment the Senate on voting to reopen the Government today for the next several days while we attempt to finalize this.