The health and welfare of a woman must be a compelling consideration.

We need our Supreme Court Justices to have an understanding of the real world and the impact their decisions have on everyday people.

The Court is the least accountable. In fact, you might say the Court is unaccountable.

One last question, if I might, on H-1B visas. Senator Grassley and I have introduced legislation to correct what we consider to be clear abuses.

The most outrageous abuses when it comes to H-1B visas include the fact that some major companies overseas, primarily in India, have successfully managed to marshal many of these H-1B visas and make a profit off of them.

I have introduced a bill for 8 years now called the DREAM Act.

We have to rebuild our diplomatic and development arsenal. We just don't have it.

Our drug sentencing policy also is the single greatest cause of the record levels of incarceration in America.

Absolutely. There is no question that crack cocaine has had a devastating impact on African-American communities.

You have been on one end of this conversation, risking your life in New York and Philadelphia and Miami.

We need a comprehensive approach that cracks down on drug-trafficking organizations while emphasizing prevention and treatment for addicts.

The so-called crack-powder disparity. It takes 100 times more powder cocaine than crack cocaine to trigger the same harsh mandatory minimum sentences.

Senator, I think that is exactly right.

Revising the crack cocaine thresholds would better reduce the [sentencing] gap than any other single policy change, and it would dramatically improve the fairness of the Federal sentencing system.

We applaud Senator Durbin for his far reaching initiative to provide for all veterans, even though they may live far from our urban centers.

Both men have made significant contributions to the State of Illinois, and I believe they will make a significant contribution to our Nation at the federal Department of Transportation.

Imagine the impact to the Nation's economy if these seven systems could no longer provide, due to the deteriorating conditions of infrastructure, the basic mobility that so many Americans depend on daily.

we have endorsed the concept advanced by COP Chair Elizabeth Warren and legislation introduced by Senator Richard Durbin

I kept telling my colleagues for 8 years it was a good idea, finally we do have it.

Well, lo and behold, I guess perseverance pays off, and in the omnibus bill, it finally passed.

Many of our aging facilities are in need of repair or replacement. The continued strong support of the Congress for Army National Guard military construction and facilities sustainment, restoration, and maintenance funding is crucial to…

We estimate $10 billion is being transferred in drug proceeds from the United States into Mexico each year.

It is good to see you again, and I know that there have been questions asked earlier about the Mexican drug cartels.

Your background is in the law and law enforcement. My world is political.

I think we bear some moral responsibility to slow this flow of guns into Mexico.