Home ownership is the bedrock of really our political philosophy, also the bedrock of wealth creation for many, many middle-class families.

I think these hearings are just so valuable for us to gather information.

We desperately need to be thinking about how we protect consumers, how we get access to those markets.

Madam President, 5 days ago I wondered why I came to the Senate. I had the same belief the American people had: This is a place which is no longer functioning, stuck in gridlock and not able to get anything done. Then an amazing thing…

I want to assure the witnesses, we understand that your time is valuable, but your stories are extraordinarily important.

I am struck because we are talking not only about the shutdown, but we are also talking about this uncertainty about the debt limit and what interest rates--how they all affect all of you.

I think it's going pretty well if the adults have taken over.

Madam President, I was presiding during the last exchange between the great Senators from Louisiana and Tennessee. I was struck because as a junior member of this body I get an opportunity to sit in the chair quite a bit. I would suggest…

Mr. President, yesterday I came to the Senate floor to talk about how the government shutdown is affecting North Dakota ranchers and farmers, particularly my ranchers who were hit by last weekend's storm and lost a vast number of cattle…

Mr. President, October 1 was a significant day. Two things happened to the constituents in my State. The first we talk a lot about here, and that is basically the shutdown of the government, the failure to pass a continuing resolution that…

The United States should honor its obligations and pay its bills in full and on time, period.