Al Franken

I would suggest it is very small comfort for the Minnesotans that I visit around my state who can't pay for their pharmaceuticals.

Why do we have to pay--why does the American consumer have to pay more than the Canadian consumer for the same drug?

So the answer is just to make them pay more.

One of the most important things we could do is prohibit 'pay for delay' deals between dealers of name brand and generic drugs.

We should also demand increased transparency from drug companies.

Senator Franken has introduced a new energy title from the Farm Bill which, I think, is very appropriate.

First, bring tribes to the table. Second, consider community and culturally specific drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.

We've heard a growing and urgent cry for help from clinicians and tribal leaders about the epidemic.

We have to make sure that there are [recovery beds].

I really think it is critical that a package allows infrastructure to be rebuilt in a renewable and sustainable way.

We need to rebuild a more resilient grid that is able to withstand the effects of these disasters.

I think this is a tragedy, obviously, but given that we have to rebuild this from approximately 80 percent destroyed, I think that it is an opportunity too.

I am concerned about implementation with this important requirement that affects our Nation's most vulnerable young people.

The Federal Government needs everything it can get to help.

After 6 years, I'm pleased that we were able to get this done and help foster kids stay in the same school if it's in their best interest.

I think this is something that we could all get behind on both sides of the aisle.

That's why I wrote a bipartisan provision with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa in the new education reform law-the Every Student Succeeds Act-to require school districts to work with child welfare agencies to make sure that…

For those of us that have worked I States under multiple administrations at the Federal level, the plan approval process felt like business as usual.

I think absolutely increased jurisdiction for tribes would be greatly beneficial.

in May, Jimmy Kimmel shared the story of his newborn son Billy, who was born with a life-threatening condition that required open-heart surgery. Kimmel said that he was fortunate to have had good health coverage and was able to pay for the…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

This is what regular order looks like, and this is the way the Senate is supposed to work.

the rescinding of the guidance, while it sent a terrible message to LGBT students and their parents, the guidance didn't change the law, and it didn't change--take away students' rights.

I share Senator Collins' concern that we consider the unintended consequences of these policy changes, especially as regards the essential health benefits.

I hope and trust, though, that as we debate these changes, that we will explore both the opportunities and the challenges they create.