We come to the floor for thousands of votes each year, but no single vote comes with so many personal stories within our families and my own. In our districts, people have spoken out about the need for real reform. The millions and…

Look, the Senate bill, we wanted to be 100 percent sure that nobody would misstate its impact. So don't misstate it. That's the purpose of this. Instead, after you talk about veterans' health, you begin to talk about the reconciliation…

Under H.R. 3590, as passed by the Senate, individuals are responsible for obtaining minimum essential health care or pay a small penalty. The Senate bill states that anyone with eligible employer coverage meets this requirement. The…

Let me suggest this: The provision that is in question here or is before us doesn't take effect--the overall provision--until 2014. What our purpose is here today is not to correct a flaw but to reaffirm so there could be zero questions. I…

today President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, H.R. 2847, which will help put Americans back to work. More must be done on to help fight the unacceptably high unemployment rate, and I hope we can…

it is a truism, a belief espoused by those of all political parties and persuasions, that the functioning of our democracy depends on an informed citizenry to make wise decisions at the ballot box and hold elected officials accountable…

25 years ago, an article appeared in the Detroit Free Press sports section headlined, ``Give Me a Sporting Chance, And I'll Give It Right Back.'' It was the debut column from a young writer just arrived from Florida, and he admitted to…

the Senate has an opportunity today to take another step toward restoring job growth and opportunity for American workers. Others have discussed the importance of this bill's provisions to help put Americans back to work, and I agree: This…

I would like to relay a story that says a great deal about how the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression came to be. In 2006, a bond trader at Lehman Brothers struck up a conversation with one of the firm's college interns…

the Senate can take an important step today in alleviating the incredible strains this continuing economic crisis is having on thousands of families in my State, and millions of families across America. In approving the American Workers…

I am a cosponsor of a bill introduced by Senators Feingold and Brownback, the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. I am one of the 62 cosponsors of this legislation, and I believe this broad bipartisan…

I would like to congratulate all of the athletes who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Olympics was a spectacular and awe-inspiring event that captured the attention and imagination of people…

Today, I introduced the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act as co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force with Senator George Voinovich and several of our colleagues here in the Senate and in the House. This bill is important for our efforts…

Madam Speaker, the theme of this bill is very clear: Back to work. I would think that would unite us and not divide us. Recently, we have seen economic growth. What we have not seen enough of at all is growth in jobs, and that's what this…

I am relieved that we are preparing to vote on this much-needed measure. I am disappointed that we have taken so long to get to this point. There is very little opposition in this Chamber to the extension of unemployment and COBRA…

Well, what we face is the highest number of long-term unemployed for over 60 years, 6.3 million people, long-term unemployed. We have 15 million people looking for work. I don't think this is the time for us to be arguing over past…

In 2009, bills aimed at weakening the ability of universities to regulate the possession of firearms on campus were introduced in 12 State legislatures, including the Michigan State Legislature. In 2008, 17 States saw similar legislation…

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Wayne County Sheriff's Office on its newly announced initiative to provide gun trigger locks free of charge to firearm owners in the Metro Detroit area. Partnering with local religious…

Quite the opposite. His references were superb. Not only was there no objection raised, it was quite the opposite. We were delighted he was willing to come out of retirement and serve. This is a real find. These nominees are performing a…

I wish to take a few minutes to express my frustration and my dismay at the roadblocks which have been placed in the way of Senate nominations for key positions at the Department of Defense. These obstructions take place at a time when…

today I am introducing with Senator Stabenow the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act, which would permanently protect 32,557 acres within the extraordinarily beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes National…

I recently returned from a trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan with Senator Al Franken. We heard a great deal of troubling news out of Afghanistan over the past few months. Casualties have increased and the political situation has been…

we have been asked by the President to confirm Ben Bernanke to a second term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Given the current state of the economy, and the nature of the crisis that led to the recession from which we are struggling to…

we are now debating a resolution that would raise the Federal debt ceiling, allowing the Federal Government to borrow enough money to meet its obligations. I doubt anyone in this Chamber is happy at the prospect of approving another such…

This is what is in the recovery package for Michigan families: Creating jobs for 519,000 unemployed in Michigan. I spoke to the electrical workers this morning, 40 percent of whom are unemployed, 2,000 individuals; 50 percent of iron…