Tom Carper

If not this solution, then what?

Our democracy can no longer tolerate it. Our government can no longer support it.

It is hard to explain to anyone why a nation that sees itself as a beacon of democracy keeps the more than half-million inhabitants of its capitol city from normal participation in the governance of the country.

I have come to the conclusion that this is the only viable option that guarantees the right to vote for District of Columbia residents.

I think it is high time that you brought attention to this outrageous situation that citizens of the District of Columbia find themselves in.

I may just do a quick segue here, I am a huge baseball fan.

We are not looking for special treatment. We are looking for the same treatment that every State has.

The bill I introduced is the latest chapter of that ongoing effort.

Thanks for being here today and for your leadership of the control board all those many years ago.

We pay taxes, we serve in the armed forces, we do everything that other citizens do, if necessary die in foreign wars, but we do not have the full rights of democracy.

I think equality is a prerequisite to democracy, and any other solution that does not give us full equality, I think, is like asking us to sit in the middle of the bus.

We had no pension fund, we had no cash management system.

It is incumbent upon those of us who enjoy the right and privilege of full voting rights to take up the cause of our fellow citizens here in the District of Columbia and to find a workable solution.

I think Dr. Coburn raised an issue about Federal funds.

Later this evening, President Obama will address our Nation.

I would like to associate myself with the remarks of my colleague from Oklahoma.

The threat of ISIS and these other terrorist groups, are they a threat? Sure they are, and we have to be eternally vigilant.

The purpose of today's hearing is to examine the effectiveness of Federal programs that provide State and local police with surplus military equipment and grant funding for equipment, exercises, planning, and training.

The job of law enforcement is to protect the lives and the well-being of the people of our Nation.

One month ago today, an unarmed young man named Michael Brown was shot and killed by a local policeman in the town of Ferguson, Missouri.

The events that unfolded in Ferguson have sparked a much needed national discussion on a range of issues, including police strategy, law enforcement response to civil protest and unrest, and race relations.

I would ask, would the Senator one more time make the unanimous consent request for Todd Robinson.

I would say to my colleagues, as chairman of the homeland security committee, I have been down to a number of Central American countries--Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador. If there is anybody that needs a U.S. ambassador down…

Would the chairman tell us again the name of the ambassador nominated by the President to be Ambassador to Guatemala?

We are doing better, but we could do better still, and this bill will help us to.