As we begin the new Congress, America sees the two parties in both the House and the Senate, along with the White House, making statements that establish positions that distinguish one from another. But what if we started not by defining…

America's middle class is facing a crisis. Despite the fact that productivity has soared and profits have increased, these gains are not flowing to the vast majority of Americans. In 81 percent of America's counties, median income today is…

There is always a great deal of excitement surrounding a new Congress and a new year. One area that has been very encouraging is the focus on rebuilding and renewing America. That was where we left off in the last Congress, frustrated by…

Just squeaking under the wire, and I am not going to do a George Miller imitation, talking over the Speaker and pounding the lectern, nor am I going to try and repeat what has come before us in terms of talking about the legendary…

Yesterday, by unanimous consent motion offered by my friend, and the bill's Republican lead, Ted Poe, the House passed H.R. 2901, our Paul Simon Water for the World Act. It was almost anticlimactic, considering all the ins and outs it has…

1 year ago today, I introduced the first gas tax increase in over 20 years. I was joined by a broad coalition in announcing the bill, supported by the AFL-CIO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, building and construction industries and their…

I thank the gentleman. I appreciate his courtesy. I am to the point where I don't actually know what is the right vote. I have no doubt that it will pass, but is it the right signal to send for so many industries that have a right to…

1 year ago today, I introduced the first gas tax increase in 21 years. The only thing that has changed in that year is that the need is greater and the path forward is even easier. Everyone knows that America is falling apart and falling…

I, too, would extend my congratulations to Mr. Camp. I have enjoyed being able to work with him for a lot of these 20 years. I enjoy his leadership, his dedication, and his friendship. In a sense, I feel that it was unfortunate that he had…

One of our responsibilities in this Congress is to protect the men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan who put their lives on the line to assist the United States. Thousands of Afghans and Iraqis who helped us as guides, as interpreters…

Today is World Toilet Day. The concept of a World Toilet Day can make children giggle, some adults blush, and others want to change the subject, but the title is designed to address this serious subject directly. No one can afford to be…

The front page of last Sunday's Washington Post had a poignant story about Army veteran Amy Rising, who uses medical marijuana to help her deal with her posttraumatic stress disorder. Now, we weren't told exactly where she lives, just that…

There were many close elections across America last week, but there was one clear winner: ending our failed prohibition on marijuana and instead legalizing, regulating, and taxing adult use. Alaska and the District of Columbia voters…

For the last 6 years, I have been spending a significant amount of time making sure that the Federal Government is a better partner in helping families as they deal with some of the most difficult times they will ever encounter, as a loved…

I thank Ranking Member Smith. I appreciate your leadership and your courtesy. In Iraq and Syria, we are facing an excruciating set of circumstances where there is no clear path forward. Our challenge in the face of the atrocities…

I have stepped away from a Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health to come to the floor. The purpose of that hearing is once again to attack the Affordable Care Act, criticisms of CMS, and to lay the foundation for the Republican goal of…

There is much that Congress deals with that seems intractable. We struggle with the great issues of war and peace. We view climate change and its devastating impacts and are paralyzed. We look at this still-simmering racial unrest and the…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy and his leadership. I listened to my friend from Oklahoma. I wish his leadership would listen to him to create an atmosphere of certainty and move forward. There is a reason why the stakeholders…

I deeply appreciate the comments of my good friend, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, with whom I have enjoyed working for 8 years now on the committee. I appreciate his commitment that we will have a hearing on transportation…

Yesterday afternoon, I stood at the back of the Senate Chamber and watched a critical debate. Under the leadership of Chairman Ron Wyden of the Senate Finance Committee, his partner, Ranking Member Hatch; Chairwoman Barbara Boxer from…

2 weeks ago, Democrats overwhelmingly supported a sustainable solution to the current shortfall in the highway trust fund, but when the entire House didn't adopt it, the Democrats provided the votes to move the issue on to the Senate…

I appreciate the gentlewoman's courtesy and her leadership in working with us on this challenging problem. Mr. Speaker, in a way this represents an amazing, positive development. I have been working in this area for 10 years, dealing with…

As early as this afternoon, the Senate debates transportation funding. It is not just about the money to stop the summer slowdown that is impacting projects and jobs all across America because we have not adequately funded our…

Yesterday, The New York Times produced a carefully balanced rationale for ending the Federal ban on marijuana. In more than 40 years, this failed attempt at prohibition has been hopelessly out of step. The Times editorial points out the…

I rise this morning to urge--indeed, to plead--with my colleagues to cosponsor bipartisan legislation that Representative Kinzinger and I will be introducing this afternoon, which would authorize 1,000 additional special immigrant visas to…