Keeping that academic independence, we think, is a critical part of the effort.

Many in the pharmaceutical and device industry spend a lot of time and money arguing that the FDA is just too tough, that we should lower the FDA standards on safety and effectiveness, and, unfortunately, they have a lot of friends in…

If they're not safe and effective, then no one is any better off.

before long, two must-pass pieces of legislation will come to the floor, a highway bill and a government- funding bill. It is like ringing the dinner bell for Wall Street banks. The lobbyists are swarming this place. They want to roll back…

exactly 3 weeks ago the Social Security Administration made a very quiet announcement. Next year, for just the third time since 1975, seniors who receive Social Security won't be getting an annual cost-of-living increase. Two-thirds of…

I thank the Presiding Officer and thank Senator Durbin for calling us together to discuss this important issue. Our higher education system is broken. Right now a student borrows money to go to college, and the college gets paid in full…

I ask unanimous consent that Joshua Delaney, a staff member in my office, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of this session of Congress. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

the deaths continue to add up with more than 30,000 people lost to gun violence during 2013 alone.

With every mass shooting in this country, the American people call for action and the U.S. Congress does nothing.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank Senator Merkley for organizing this event this afternoon and Senators Blumenthal and Markey for their work on this. Smoking produces corporate profits, period. There is the heart of the…

The idea that Congress would witness children, bystanders, spouses, people watching movies, people going to church die by gun violence and refuse to take any action is irresponsible in the extreme and clearly a sellout to a powerful gun…

Gun violence is tearing apart our families and our communities, and we cannot turn away from that.