When this idea of the so-called truth commission first surfaced, I said it was unnecessary because you had a change in administration.

There is a predicate if we have evidence of torture. Torture is a violation of our law. Go after them.

I am delighted to be a member of this very important Committee, Environment and Public Works.

I think the evolution of the views of President Bush on the threat of global warming are highly significant.

I look forward to working with you, Madam Chairwoman, and the others on this Committee to try to structure legislation which can be enacted this year.

Senator Leahy and I have a special spot reserved on C-SPAN that put us on at 3 a.m., so he and I have a tremendous following among America's insomniacs.

I think it is very important to structure legislation which can receive popular support, public support.

I regret that I am going to have to excuse myself early to join the Environment and Public Works Committee, where we are pushing ahead to try to find a legislative answer to global warming at an early stage.

the way it has necessarily been conducted with the chamber full, that is the occasion when there are more Senators on the floor longer than any other time that the Senate functions

it is inevitable that votes are cast--I am right in the middle of the same procedure--where we do not know what we are voting on because we have not heard the debate

It is like a steam kettle. You fire it up, and it is going to come out someplace.

We have got to do better than this vote-a-rama process.

it is hardly a function of the world's greatest deliberative body

Well, I'm very concerned of that. I had a tough one percent primary last time. And I know the political peril. And in light of the very severe need to take action to avoid a depression, I thought my duty required that I do just what I did.

Well, I am very concerned about it. I had a tough 1 percent primary last time. And I know the political peril. And in light of the very severe need to take action to avoid a depression, I thought my duty required that I do just what I did.

A woman has a right to choose.

The nominee, David Ogden, does bring an outstanding resume to this position academically: Phi Beta Kappa, University of Pennsylvania, magna cum laude; Harvard Law Review; outstanding professional credentials.

Some of the Supreme Court decisions don't please me, but that's the law, they say.

The Republican members of this Committee will not be participating because there has been insufficient time to prepare for this hearing.

I've had strenuous concerns raised by my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

It seems to me just, candidly, beyond the pale to say that that's a violation of the Thirteenth Amendment against slavery.

I think overall history reflects that the Senate impeachment hearing and trial was really a great testament to the brilliance of our Founders.

The courts under-enforce constitutional rights and the political branches have an obligation to fill constitutional gaps, and uphold rights beyond those that the court will enforce.

The conclusions from the most rigorous scientific studies are consistent for the overwhelming majority of women who undergo abortion: There are no long-term negative effects. The few women who do experience negative psychological responses…