Richard Blumenthal

I think America is on our side on this issue because America knows this time is different.

The courts have a responsibility to deem constitutional, to presume constitutional valid acts of the legislature.

Do not rush into this too quickly.

We are choosing to light a candle rather than curse the darkness.

When I went to the Sandy Hook fire house on the day of the shooting within hours of its occurrence, I went as a public official, but what I saw was through the eyes of a parent.

I want to begin by thanking you, Madam Chairman, for your courage over many years, your consistent advocacy for this assault weapon ban.

You need criminal background checks so that you can know... how to keep these weapons... out of the hands of people who should not have them.

The fact is, Chief Flynn, I would agree with you totally that what we see in our Nation is mass murder committed as a result of gun violence.

Is 20 babies enough to say these implements should not be so easily distributed?

I know that you would not want to be here right now. But I know also, as you have told me, and Dr. Begg has, from the beginning of this tragedy and as recently as Sunday night and yesterday, that you want to be here to try to make sure…

Nobody in law enforcement ever thinks we are doing enough.

Some or all of those 20 beautiful children and 6 great educators would be alive today if assault weapons has been banned

In the last 20 years, 9 percent of the crime guns in the city of Chicago could be traced to the State of Mississippi.

We do not have enough research on gun violence in this country.

The point is those checks work, and if we can extend them to the gun shows, we can keep guns out of the hands of criminals as well as the criminally insane.

I think it would require some changes in legislation.

It is true that we are seeing slowdowns in the overall cost of care, the rate of increase in the overall cost of care and in Medicare. I think it is a little premature to declare victory.

The Affordable Care Act was really two pieces of legislation, one that extended coverage to many uninsured Americans, another that attempted to initiate very important reforms in the delivery of health care.

There will be a reconsideration of the cloture vote on the Hagel nomination at noon tomorrow. ____________________

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:32 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at 10 a.m…

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:46 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, February 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. ____________________

Earlier today cloture was filed on the Hagel nomination. That cloture vote is expected on Friday. ____________________

The pathway to earned citizenship is really necessary

We need to move very aggressively and very urgently to make sure that the best and brightest are coming here and staying here.

I favor a broader solution, a little bit of 'all of the above' solution around high-skilled immigration.