I happen to disagree with him on the conclusion he has reached--or apparently reached--relative to Mr. Lynn for reasons I will go into. Nonetheless, he has been an advocate of reform and he continues to do that. I will explain why I think…

Well, for you, John--and I guess I'm not supposed to be directing my comments to a particular Member. To John Dingell and to Debbie Dingell, this is an emotional moment, but it is for all of us. To know John Dingell, one has to know his…

today Congressman John Dingell of Michigan becomes the longest serving member in the history of the United States House of Representatives. As we observe this notable milestone in time, however, John Dingell's longevity is really a…

as the Senate works to boost our ailing economy, I want to clarify that funding provided to the National Park Service for trail projects would not be limited to only certain trails. The bill provides $158 million for the operation of the…

the Inhofe amendment would, in effect, prevent implementing the President's decision to close Guantanamo and undo the benefits to America's standing that have resulted from President Obama's decision. The Executive order signed by…

I support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This legislation is important to ensure that Americans from all walks of life have a realistic opportunity for recourse if they are victims of pay discrimination. We are considering this bill…

we are in a crisis unparalleled since the Great Depression. We are on a deeply troubling path, marked by credit freezes, foreclosures, rising unemployment, and declining purchasing power. And that path, in the autumn of last year, appeared…

passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 would wrap up one of the major pieces of unfinished business from last year. The majority leader promised he would take up this legislation early in 2009, and indeed he has. The…

Americans want the children of this country covered by health insurance. The State Children's Health Insurance Program currently covers about 7 million children, including 114,000 kids in my home State of Michigan. However, there are still…

as the Nation celebrates a new beginning by welcoming a new administration to town next week, my office will be saying goodbye to a longtime trusted adviser and friend. Today, I pay tribute to my legislative director, Rich Arenberg, who…

President-elect Obama gave a powerful and visionary speech last Thursday on the Federal Government's role in creating short-term jobs and in making long-term investments for future jobs. To be successful, that short- and long-term…

last February, the Iraqi Government set October 1, 2008, as the date for provincial elections to occur. These elections are critical to U.S. and Iraqi efforts to bring about reconciliation in their country. For instance, those elections…

According to data released this month by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ATF, gun dealers in this country "lost" an average of 82 firearms every day last year. That means more than 30,000 firearms are mysteriously…

I support the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, H.R.6331, which makes a number of needed changes related to Medicare reimbursement, including reimbursement for physicians' services. Medicare physician fee schedule…

I strongly support the extension of unemployment insurance benefits. Extending unemployment insurance benefits would fairly and rightly extend much needed assistance to Americans who are struggling to find jobs. While I was disappointed…

we are nearing the end, I hope, of what is surely one of the longest judicial nomination sagas in U.S. history. Judge White was previously nominated by President Clinton for a vacancy on the Sixth Circuit of the Court of Appeals starting…

Let me just take back my time. Look, the position, that hasn't been the position of the administration. It's used the 6 percent level. That's what they're talking about here. And you have to go home and explain to the areas, I mentioned…

I am delighted to submit this resolution today, along with my Michigan colleague, Senator Stabenow, congratulating the Detroit Red Wings on a hard-fought victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup finals. Last Wednesday…

I think the more we discuss this, the clearer the issue becomes, including the last statement that we heard. There's no disagreement about the need for growth policies. But to say that, and use it as an excuse not to provide extended…

I asked the gentleman from Illinois how he would respond to people in certain areas. I don't know how you do that. I asked the gentleman, and I didn't mean to get personal really, but just to raise the issue poignantly. If you're from the…

If you counted the people who are now exhausting their benefits, or have, and those who are likely, it would reach, the line, from here, this Capitol to Denver. So don't talk about energy policy. We have to face up to that. Don't talk…

It's estimated that 4 million workers, 4 million, would be eligible under this unemployment extension, over 1 million who have already exhausted and 3 million in the future. You know, in previous downturns when there were unemployment…

I want to read, Mr. Weller, the metropolitan areas with unemployment above 6 percent that would be left out under your so-called targeting, Danville, Illinois, these are among many, and Kankakee and Rockford. I just picked those three out…

Day after day record-high oil and gasoline prices are causing immense harm to millions of American consumers and businesses. Unless something is done to make energy more affordable, these record-high prices will continue to damage our…

I, along with my Michigan colleague, Senator Stabenow, would like to congratulate Ron Mason on a long and distinguished career at Michigan State University. He has been integral to the success of Michigan State's hockey program for more…