Tom Harkin

I think that is an excellent idea. I like the idea that it would be in a stepwise fashion reduced to a simple majority over the course of about a week or so.

The reason 51 is profound is because of the structure of our whole government.

The full exploitation of the rules is a long-term condition of the Senate and that it is time to consider a proposal like Senator Harkin's.

At the beginning of the next Congress, I will move for the Senate to end debate and adopt its rules by a simple majority.

A super majority requirement for all legislation and nominees would, as Alexander Hamilton explained, mean that a small minority could destroy the energy of government.

That is a serious infringement on a Senator's ability to be able to offer amendments and to be able to debate.

Bypassing the committee process is dangerous.

The Senate is dysfunctional and I think the general public understands that.

I resist the idea of Washington telling Illinois or Tennessee what to do about this.

The new health care law, its fundamental mistake is to expand the health care delivery system that's already too expensive, and not focus on reducing cost.

I think it's very important for us to have this openness and to have that kind of review.

I want them to clear it with the Iowa State Insurance Commissioner, to meet the standards of the State.

If I'm telling you what the right standard is, then the policy is not likely to be any cheaper.

We're going after some of the symptoms, here.

A major goal of health reform is to bring down the cost of health care and to reduce health insurance premiums.

We're holding our first hearing on health care since President Obama signed into law the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

I write to urge you to increase funding for Ryan White Programs by $810.5 million more than the fiscal year 2010 appropriated levels.

The Federal Government never got involved in elementary and secondary education. Never.

Why are there poor schools in poor areas and nicer schools in nice areas? Well, look at your property tax system.

I would like to thank all of you for being here today for the fourth in a series of hearings focused on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

I would like to thank Chairman Harkin and Senator Enzi and the members of this committee for their great efforts to take advantage of this opportunity and reauthorize ESEA in a bipartisan and effective manner.

Thank you, Chairman Harkin, for introducing the Keep Our Educators Working Act yesterday to help preserve jobs for educators.

While many factors are important to a student's success in school, to state the obvious, when it comes to learning, a good teacher matters the most.

How do we attract and retain a highly qualified teacher for every classroom, as well as talented leaders for every school?

I have said for many years, can someone show me in the Constitution of the United States where it says that elementary and secondary education is to be funded by property taxes?