Dick Durbin: “what those who are following the Senate debate just witnessed is, sadly, a commentary on what has happened to the…”

“what those who are following the Senate debate just witnessed is, sadly, a commentary on what has happened to the Senate. We are embroiled in debate on a class action bill relative to reforming the laws of America about how lawsuits can be filed. Many Members, in frustration, have wanted to consider many other issues: Should America now, after almost 6 years-plus of not increasing the minimum wage, finally increase the minimum wage for American workers? The Senator from Idaho has joined the Senator from Massachusetts in addressing a very important issue about agricultural workers and immigration. They would like to offer an amendment for that purpose, and it has broken down. There can be no agreement reached--at least there has not appeared to be an agreement reached. Now we are just at rest, at ease, standing and doing nothing. It is hard to imagine that any of us were elected to the Senate for that purpose and particularly as many Members of the Senate, myself included, were called to a secret meeting, classified meeting this morning, with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, as well as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller, and were told at that briefing that we face an extraordinary threat to America's security.”