Chris Coons

I look forward to continuing to work with some of my colleagues who are cosponsoring legislation to repeal DOMA.

For those in the country right now who are here illegally to have a pathway to earn citizenship.

The policy you are now following under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has meant that many young people, the so-called DREAM Act kids, no longer live in constant fear of deportation.

We are not living up to our constitutional values and how we treat families of all kinds, including LGBT families.

What is the path to citizenship for someone who is currently undocumented but living in the United States?

Budgets are a reflection of values and priorities.

I think the President's budget has a lot to commend it.

I have consistently voted against proposals that would dismantle Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

A budget is a statement of priorities and values, and in my view, the President's budget is an important contribution to our ongoing conversation.

Further deficit reduction is absolutely critical.

The President is not willing to do it.

I'm excited that this first energy committee hearing is focusing on such a basic question about how we embrace the broad energy future in front of us.

Energy is the lifeblood of an economy in all of its forms.

Policymakers should aspirationally rely on the best quality information, on objective material, and on metrics that allow making the best decision in a public policy process.

We view it with respect to this and just about any other commodity.

I want to clarify I said over and over, there is no such thing as free trade. It's rules-base free trade.

Public safety, police, we are ready, we are unified on this issue that a universal background check will make our society a safer place, will make my police officers safer. It is absolutely essential.

We certainly need to have a universal background check.

We as a Committee are wrestling here today and we as a country are wrestling with how to respond appropriately and effectively to a whole string of horrific shootings.

Thank you for convening this important hearing.

I agree with you, and I have agreed to cosponsor legislation to this affect.

One of the most important things, I think, is for us to get our facts right.

I am grateful that our Vice President, Joe Biden, has led, I think, a very broad and searching conversation.

We deeply regretted you were unable to appear before due to your illness, and I am thrilled to see you have made a full recovery.

I certainly look forward to continuing to get your advice, direction, and encouragement as I try to work with my colleagues here to ensure the same sort of success going forward in West Africa that we have recently enjoyed in East Africa.