We agree--we agree--we need to address this significant part of our Federal spending.

Secretary Alexander mentioned job training is an excellent example of something we should be investing in.

I hope we could all be working together right now to make sure Obamacare is implemented in the best way possible.

Even for people who think that investments need to be cut, sequestration is an awful and short-sighted way to do it.

Actuaries estimate the monthly premiums in New York's individual market after the health care law is in effect will still be 37 percent higher than the national average.

We need to repair our crumbling roads, bridges, and highways.

Yes, our constituents want us to take responsibility and tackle our deficit and debt.

If we cut out investments in them, we diminish our ability to lay down a foundation for long-term growth and prosperity.

we need to be strong as a Nation and we need to have that national defense that is both strategic and funded at an appropriate level.

the idea of tripling the standard deduction

I learned that again and again in working on early childhood education issues in Virginia that just a little bit of early intervention for youngsters who have a developmental delay might mean years where they are not in special education…

I do not think that is a good solution and we do not want anybody, including Tea Party Republicans, to push us into a crisis.

I am going to make sure it represents the values and priorities of the people we represent.

The last thing I will just say to Mr. Murray, I was at the hospital that you built Monday, and you have every reason--you and your colleagues--to be extremely proud. That is a wonderful facility.

If we fail to maintain these important investments, we could lose our position as a global leader in research and technology.

Your feeling today is that when she starts kindergarten she will be--

Senate Democrats believe the path of austerity that long-term cuts from sequestration lead toward is not the right direction for our country.

I would like each of your opinion on whether widening income inequality hurts economic growth.

Anything that adds to the uncertain economic environment, and this would qualify, is a weight.

We cannot afford to keep these cuts around for 10 more years.

Until then, I think it would be very difficult to explain a plan to middle-class Americans that asks them to sacrifice but gives the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations a pass.

It seems to me that repudiating our debt should be off the table.

we are putting off limits $30,000. Essentially we are putting $3,000, somewhere in that vicinity, of permanent tax relief into the pockets of the middle-class person.

We have serious long-term deficit and debt challenges that we need to tackle.

The American people think we should get rid of inefficient, unfair tax breaks skewed towards the wealthiest Americans and corporations.