On the recordDecember 6, 2010
as far as lameduck sessions of the Senate go, our agenda is rather ambitious, and the session itself is relatively long. It did not have to be this way. We have tried many times this Congress to tackle each of the priorities on our agenda. Each time we have tried, the minority has tried to shut down the Senate. Republicans ground the Senate to a halt and forced endless hours of inactivity. That is why we were here voting on Sunday--on Saturday; I am sorry. Thank goodness it was not on Sunday. That is why we will still be here another few weeks. We have a long to-do list. But these priorities are not mere leftovers. They are critical to our economy and our national security, to our families and our country's future, and we will resolve them before we adjourn. We have to give first responders--our communities' firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel--the same job protections that other workers enjoy. We need to give seniors and disabled veterans some relief, which will also benefit our economy as a whole. The cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients is a question of both fairness and economics. We will again fight for the DREAM Act. When it passes, millions of children who grew up as Americans will be able to get the education they need to contribute to our economy. Many who have volunteered to defend our country will no longer have to fear being deported. We will give the heroes of 9/11 long overdue help.
