It is an important bill. I argue that it is a vital bill to support the infrastructure we are all so dependent upon each and every day in our activities, whether it is during the weekends, or going to school or work, or as part of our…

Yes. People don't know they have it. Probably about a fourth of the people listening to me have hypertension, and a third don't know it, and they will die prematurely. It is pretty interesting.

First of all, just a few minutes ago, this morning, with regard to the employment situation, we have been given very good news. The unemployment rate is at 5.6 percent, which was little changed, but the nonfarm payroll employment increased…

In fact, 14 days ago--exactly 2 weeks ago--the Senate voted 65 to 28 to help liberate Washington, DC's schoolchildren from its worst performing public schools. The bill itself was called DC Choice. The 'DC' is obviously the District of…

The highlight of the day for me personally was the joint session we had earlier today with the presentation by President Aznar of Spain. His address to Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives very much captured the essence…

I do want to briefly comment on the families of the individuals who were potentially exposed yesterday. It is an inconvenience because you are waiting for tests and you are doing screening tests that have a certain meaning in terms of…

I will have a few remarks at the close on what has been a difficult day, but very positive in many ways as we have come together and faced the challenges before this body and have been able to conduct very productive and very useful…

the time has come to move ahead and complete the unfinished work of the first session of the 108th Congress. We have had good debate over the course of the morning and yesterday--in fact, this week. I have made it very clear as to the…

I would like to reinforce what the assistant Democratic leader just said in that the operation of this body is dependent on the boys and girls who are here with us. We don't have that opportunity very often to publicly say thank you. It is…

Last night, the President of the United States delivered a powerful challenge to the U.S. Congress and to the American people. He told us the state of the Union is strong and confident. The substance of the talk last night reflected just…

I am not surprised by these objections. I think that a number of colleagues, including the distinguished Senator from West Virginia and others on their side, have been very open and forthright with their intent to object to this…

I rise to pay tribute and respect to Senator Paul Simon who, as we know, died earlier today following surgery at the age of 75. On behalf of the Senate, I do extend my deepest condolences to the Simon family. He was a wonderful man, a…

Democracy isn't something that just happens to us. It's something each of us must actively create. Citizenship gives us rights, but it also gives us responsibilities. Each of us has a responsibility to understand the great principles on…

I had the opportunity to take my wife Karyn to the Kennedy Center Honors, which is an annual tradition here. It is really a remarkable evening--a 2-day event--where America celebrates cultural icons. Most of them have been recognized…

With these four principles in mind, the Tennessee delegation has made the following Tennessee State Action Plan: Reconvene in Tennessee to discuss further plans, an early December meeting is planned to include the entire delegation. A…

I was very pleased to join the distinguished Senator from South Dakota, Senator Daschle, and our leadership colleagues in the House of Representatives in hosting Congress's first Civic Education conference. On behalf of the entire Senate…

The challenges and questions our nation faces today are different than those faced by our founders. But they are, in many ways, just as profound. The great principles of democracy are what unify us as a people and bind us together as a…

this bill we just passed does exactly as stated. It establishes grants to address health services for nutrition, for increased physical activity, and for obesity prevention. I draw the attention of my colleagues to last week's edition of…

I believe this issue of obesity is one of the largest unaddressed public health issues we face today, and I am pleased by the action we are taking today. I agree that it is critical that we continue to direct our attention to this issue…

The current asbestos litigation system is broken, and it is clear that we in this Congress should fix it. We have an obligation, a real responsibility, to fix it. I would like to lay out what our plans are to resolve this asbestos…

I regret that it has become necessary to file a cloture motion on this bipartisan legislation being considered on the floor of the Senate. However, it appears that at this juncture we have no option. I do want to express my deep…

This allows a more complete discussion of the principles and observations I have made thus far. I do hope people take a look at that document. As for the future, if we intend to make good on our collective hope to pass legislation, at some…

If you are for a comprehensive Energy bill, you need to vote for cloture. This is the vote. Second, there has been some speculation, people have mentioned on the floor, if we do not pass this conference report we will pull out this…

I extend my gratitude to Senator Baucus for working together with the Vice President, the Speaker of the House and myself to reach a compromise on the ethanol issue in the energy bill conference agreement. We understand this is a very…

I want to take just one moment and comment on the unanimous consent agreement and the establishment within the Smithsonian Institution of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which we just approved. This has been a…