as I stated earlier today, I had worked to put together a bipartisan package with my colleague, Finance Committee Chairman Baucus, to address some time-sensitive matters that need to be considered. I was under the impression that the…

I extend my most sincere gratitude to fallen soldier, CAPT Daniel Whitten, and his family. Captain Whitten was a decorated officer who served valiantly with Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat…

Recent bipartisan votes in the Senate on extending expiring tax provisions have come in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent; and the…

What I find surprising is that what we are about to vote on indisputably and absolutely belongs to the majority leader. That is to say we are not going to vote on a bipartisan package that I put together with Finance Committee Chairman…

I want to express my concern about the nomination of Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and explain why I will vote against him when the Senate has the opportunity this week. I know many of my colleagues will support Mr…

in 2009 the Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP programs accounted for over $800 billion of the $2.3 trillion spent on health care in the U.S. Together, these programs constitute around 35 percent of national health spending. With so much taxpayer…

I cannot support this pay-go amendment because it would continue the double-standard that exists between taxes and spending. Under current law, more than a dozen mandatory programs will expire over the next 10 years. Extending these…

I think my judgment is you have a ways to go.

I want to go to interest rates and the publicly held debt.

I hope I am here next year to continue this discussion.

Your predecessor, Mr. John Hamre, assured me that he would fix that problem after he was confirmed as Deputy Secretary, but he didn't keep his word.

Obviously, a lot of us agree with the goals that the President articulated.

I think most of the people watching this debate, studying how Congress works and how the Federal Government works, know there is a statutory limit on the amount of debt that can be issued by the Federal Government. If the public does not…

We cannot defeat al Qaeda through half steps, Miranda warnings, minimization procedures, and Inspector General reports.

When will we get a copy of this application?

This directive implies that there is a concern that the State Department may have issued visas to individuals who are known or suspected terrorists.

We understood that was a mistake before.

This is not a case about whether there were red flags.

I do not understand why the State Department would tell us that it was being reviewed by the Justice Department if the Justice Department says they do not have it.

This Survivors of Sexual Assault Act includes a provision that requires States to be responsible for full up-front costs of the kit, examination.

I was glad to have Senator Franken ask me if I would join him as a lead cosponsor of this Justice for Survival of Sexual Assault Act because I think that this would cut down on the backlog of untested rape cases.

My judgment is rape victims should never have to pay for the cost of the kit.

At a time when the unemployment rate is 10 percent, I believe it is not responsible to invite or allow illegal workers to take jobs that should be available to American citizens and legal immigrants.

I hope and believe this indicates that fewer people are trying to enter illegally.

I believe Attorney General Holder... his decision to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other terrorists to New York City for civilian trials is an action that makes your mission more difficult.