Al Franken

There is no reason why the seniors in the US should be paying higher prices than other people in the US or in other countries.

I rise today to speak about the gridlock in the Senate and the effect it has on our ability to do our jobs as legislators. If you talk to the average person on the street, he or she will probably tell you that Americans are pretty…

It's profoundly unfair that we continue to pay so much more for the same drugs.

I would have the federal government negotiate one price for all drug purchases.

Direct negotiation by the government with drug manufacturers would result in a significant reduction in the cost of Part D drugs.

The EEOC has taken the position that agreements that mandate binding arbitration of discrimination claims as a condition of employment are contrary to the fundamental principles evinced in these laws.

We are looking for ways to ensure that victims of discrimination have adequate recourse and adequate remedies available to them if they can prove discrimination.

I introduced a bill called the American Elections Act. It said that if a foreign national has a controlling share of a company, that company should not be spending unlimited amounts in America.

But there is a reason that there is no law for this.

My office has received 220 letters just on the Citizens United decision, and it might surprise Mr. Smith that by last night's count, 204 of those 220 Minnesotans were opposed to the decision.

So while you assert that 20 percent is not control, if a foreign entity owns 20 percent of a company, 31 of 32 States who define what control is do.

Now, you just said the law prohibits foreign nationals from participating in giving, but it does not.

I think that is what every parent in the country thought when they heard No Child Left Behind.

My contention would be that a kid with an ear infection who does not have insurance is less likely to get it treated and more likely to miss school.

This is ridiculous the way this is working.

One thing I think everyone agrees we need to be looking at in this new reauthorization is how we do this testing.

I'm very proud that in Minnesota--even in these tough times--the State legislature invested $47 million in the Statewide Health Improvement Program.

50 years ago this month, a group of athletes gathered in Squaw Valley, CA, for the Winter Olympics. A part of the U.S. contingent--the 1960 men's ice hockey team--unexpectedly surprised the world and brought home the Olympic gold medal by…

I also would like to take a few minutes to speak on another topic, the extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies. I admire those in this body who take a principled stand. The Senate would get more done if all Members were…

Why do we have this requirement? And is it necessary?

China is a big market. That is my guess.

I saw their new juvenile detention, minimum security facility, which was built 5 years ago. It is absolutely beautiful.

There is only $52.8 million in the President's budget for Indian school construction for the entire year.

I am glad to see that the Obama Administration is making Indian issues a higher priority than previous Administrations.

I think adult males in this country should be aware of what they are doing.