On the recordJune 30, 2011
this weekend we will celebrate Independence Day and 235 years of this country's very proud history. This Nation was founded on the notion of liberty and justice for all. As we celebrate, we should remember that the pursuit of liberty is not just a journey with a destination but, rather, a quest to which we must recommit ourselves every single day. As we commit fully and firmly to liberty and justice, we must commit just as fully and firmly to the idea that the liberty and justice should be truly for all. It is often said that with liberty comes responsibility. We should take that responsibility seriously. I am confident we do. That is why the Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, the day after the Fourth. We will do that because we have work to do. We will be in session that week-- that is next week--with our first vote on July 5. We will determine what time that vote will be on July 5, likely in the afternoon because of the travel problems with the Fourth of July the previous day. There is still so much to do to put Americans back to work, cut our deficit, get our economy back to work. It is very important we do this. That moment is too important, the obstacles too steep, and the time too short to waste even a moment. I hope my Republican colleagues will put politics aside and help Democrats fulfill Congress's responsibility to the American people. There are some Republicans in Congress who say the U.S.…





