I rise as well to speak about the single most important issue facing the American people today, and that is the state of the economy. Let's consider three facts and lay them side by side. First, over the last decade, even though the…

I rise to speak on the upcoming amendments and debate we will have on the tax issue. Let me say a few things. First, we are in a very tough economic situation. We have a large number of unemployed people, and even people who have been…

I have a great deal of respect for my colleague from Wyoming, but he has not answered the question and it is obvious why, because the Republican Party and all 42 members care as much or more about giving a $100,000 tax break to someone…

I am so sick of hearing on every TV show in America, well, if you give a 3-percent tax differential to the wealthiest people in America, they are going to create all these jobs. Well, I am trying to figure out where the jobs are that this…

The bottom line is very simple: The tax cuts for the wealthy did not work. The tax cuts for the wealthy did not work. They may have their ideological reasons to give them, but I would rather see that money go not only for unemployment…

My question is very simple. The Senator said he wanted to prevent a tax hike on every American. Hypothetically, if we prevented a tax hike on every American except the small number whose income was over $1 million last year, would my…

I have tremendous respect and admiration for my friend from Tennessee. I do. I think he is a fine man, and we have passed some good legislation together. So I understand the negotiators are doing their negotiating, but we might be able to…

Mr. Zandi said if we had not passed the stimulus, we would have a depression. Now I hear the other side saying there was nothing worse than the stimulus. Mr. Zandi said if we had not done the stimulus, we would have a depression. Now, I…

I wish to thank my colleague from Missouri for her outstanding words. Again, let us take three facts. First, over the last decade, middle-class incomes have declined for the first time since World War II. Second, over the last decade, if…

I want to read this headline to the American people. And this is not a Democratic publication. "Republicans Hold Senate Ransom for Rich Tax Cut." Let me repeat that. "Republicans Hold Senate Ransom for Rich Tax Cut." I couldn't have said…

I would first like to ask my colleagues a question of any of my Republican colleagues. They say we have to do this by Monday. It is one of the most important economic issues we have. If today we were to offer you--certainly I would; I…

Let me pose a hypothetical. Let's say we gave a tax break to every American whose income was below $1 million but not to people above $1 million. Would he and his colleagues continue to block things, such as the unemployment insurance, the…

The Nation's unemployment level, stuck near 10 percent, is unacceptable to Americans. I just want to clarify what my colleague is saying. It is more important to the people on the other side of the aisle to get tax breaks for millionaires…

The most stimulative thing we can do is to extend unemployment benefits. Those folks will spend every dollar in our stores, in our restaurants, and it will create jobs. If we give a tax break to multimillionaires, oh, yeah, they will rush…

I rise to speak briefly in honor of our friend and colleague, the senior Senator from Connecticut. I have watched him from the day I came here. We knew each other a little bit when I was in the House. He left the House to go to the Senate…

I rise to speak about what many of us consider the biggest sticking point in U.S.-Chinese relations: Chinese overt and continuous manipulation of its currency to gain a trade advantage over its trading partners. The Economic Policy…

The reason we are here tonight is because Senators Brown and Sanders said: Why talk about outsourcing of jobs, let's do something about it. That is what we are trying to do tonight. We are trying to actually do something about it. This is…

the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers, or the ALERT Drivers Act, of 2009, S. 1536, introduced by Sen. Schumer (D-NY)

I rise today in support of DISCLOSE, the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. This bill is in direct response to Citizens United v. FEC in which the Supreme…

So you support the legislation?

Well, thank you, Senator Bennet, and as the Acting Chair, I recognize Mr. Schumer.

I hope the Committee will further investigate this issue and report its findings.

Requiring homeowners in Flood Hazard Zones to purchase flood insurance is a necessary goal.

National Flood Insurance is an important program that has impacted people all across the country.

I agree with the testimony of my friend and colleague, Senator Durbin, that we should work to pass a moratorium on the mandatory purchase requirement for 5 years until technological and implementation issues can be resolved.