On the recordApril 21, 2010
I am here today not only to salute these great Americans but also to talk about the urgency of bringing the issue of Wall Street reform to the Senate for open debate and final passage. We have weathered and witnessed the worst financial crisis in the history of the country. We have seen wealth, trillions of dollars of wealth, evaporate because of this financial crisis. To hear people now talking about, well, this is not a good bill--the question is not whether we should delay further or go forward. The question is going forward with purpose, amending the bill on the floor, if necessary, in an open and transparent way so the American public can see we are moving forward on perhaps their No. 1 priority related to the economy, and economic recovery and financial reform are integrated key elements. We cannot have long-run economic success without fundamental financial reform. We are here today essentially to urge that the anticipated vote on Monday to proceed to the bill be affirmed overwhelmingly to send a message to the American people we are on the job for them, we are doing the work we have to do. We have to deal with a complex and significant legislative measure--but we have to do it now. The time for discussion, the time for consideration privately, has passed. Now we have to act. I think we have to act because we should recognize the status quo is unacceptable.
