In Pennsylvania alone, a minimum wage increase is estimated to raise the pay of over 600,000 women and lift over 127,000 workers out of poverty.

the impact of the minimum wage on families is rather substantial

A worker should be able to support a family from the wages earned. It is shocking that people in the richest nation on earth would work full-time and still live in poverty.

I rise today to discuss the nomination of Debo Adegbile to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. As a representative of the city of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia police, and…

I wanted to start off by saying to each of the nominees how much we appreciate your service, your willingness to serve at a tough time.

I wish to discuss the ABLE Act, which is a piece of legislation that has been the subject of enormous and substantial bipartisan support both in the Senate and in the House. We know that a lot of families have relied upon and have really…

I rise this morning to speak about two issues. The first will be on the matter that is before us, the veterans legislation. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I commend the work of Chairman Sanders and others…

So you were getting, moving closer to adulthood. And when you consider your own experience now in higher education...

For me, SSI played a strong role in helping me achieve my educational goals. However, for too many people, it becomes a lifelong parking lot.

Can I just ask? How do we best rectify that?

I wish to discuss the Agricultural Act of 2014, otherwise known as the farm bill. I sincerely appreciate the Agriculture Committee chairwoman's and ranking member's work in moving the process forward. I have made it a priority to keep…

as I have every year since I came to the Senate now 8 years ago, I rise today to commemorate Black History Month by paying tribute to a distinguished American. This year we are privileged to recognize Willie F. Johnson, a man who has…

We need in this country, as is happening across the globe, to think of seniors as assets and not liabilities.

It is particularly interesting, because when I look at a State like the one I represent, Pennsylvania, we have just about two million seniors in our State.

If I want an appointment with Senator Nelson, I should call you.

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for calling this hearing, and Ranking Member Collins, as well.

I rise today to pay tribute to my colleague, Max Baucus. Senator Baucus has been a leader in the areas of tax, trade, health, agriculture and the environment. I have served with him on the Finance Committee and the Agriculture Committee…

I first want to commend and salute the work that has been done already on this legislation by the senior Senator from Maine and for her leadership. Senator Collins appropriately focused on the issue of jobs and jobs creation. I know in our…

I like to say if kids learn more now, they'll earn more later.

We believe strongly in Louisiana that aligning a birth to 12 system is fundamental to achieving the outcomes for students we want.

Like you, I share a strong belief in the need for the Federal Government to play a more active role in promoting access to high-quality early learning.

Responsiveness--the 'serve and return' interaction in which infants' gestures, affect and vocalization are responded to with nurturing communication from adults, encouraging further communication from the child--is important throughout…

We have the opportunity to make a significant investment in early learning, and set future generations on a path to academic and economic success.

I think we're starting to make progress. We have Senator Harkin's bill, the Strong Start for America's Children legislation, which is gaining significant momentum now and support.

It's, obviously, the right thing to do for our children, but it's also the right thing to do for all of us, because all the data shows--and it's irrefutable now--that this is a critically important part of economic growth.