Bob Casey

Hispanic immigrant families in particular have a very strong need for such programs because their young children often have extremely low levels of English language and literacy proficiency.

This legislation being discussed today, the Strong Start Act, represents a major step forward in our fight to ensure that all children have access to affordable and high-quality early learning experiences.

We are nowhere near where we ought to be.

I am out of time, but I want to make sure that someone who was born in Pottsville, PA gets the last word.

It has been a pleasure working with you on this legislation, and I am excited about this opportunity to highlight our shared commitment to promoting pre-kindergarten.

I wish to say a word of commendation for the remarks the Senator from Colorado just made about a very important issue, and that photograph he took is, indeed, an inspiration to all Americans. Each of us can be inspired by that photograph…

We are also thankful to those on this committee who have been supportive of this bill, including Senator Casey of Pennsylvania and Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina.

We all would agree, I think, that that is especially important.

I would welcome the prompt release of the conclusions of that bipartisan investigation.

I was just appointed the new chair of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight.

This is the 501(c)(4) issue, the processing of those.

This budget neutral legislation has a bipartisan companion in the House due to its emphasis on lowering healthcare costs by promoting efficiencies within the Federal Government.

The one number that I keep coming back to is people who abuse prescription drugs are 19 times more likely to abuse heroin--just stunning.

I guess a related question to what the chairman asked is the concern that I think a number of us have--and I'm sure you share this concern--about the implications of allowing this new product on the market without these abuse deterrent…

Our State of Pennsylvania unfortunately has a third place finish that we did not want to have in terms of heroin abuse.

I think it's important for consumers to have nutrition information for what they're eating.

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.

Raising the minimum wage is a step toward reducing income and wealth inequality, which we know and Pope Francis reminds us is the root of all social ills.

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.

By forcing hard working people into the safety net, politicians opposing minimum wage are saying that work should not pay.

It is estimated that a minimum wage increase to $10.10 would add $1 billion in GDP and 3,800 new jobs to Pennsylvania's economy.

I am a supporter of the increase in the minimum wage, and part of the reason for that is some of the data that we have seen in Pennsylvania just in terms of the impact on lifting workers out of poverty

The impact of the minimum wage on families is rather substantial

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.

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