More than 60 years have passed since a major overhaul of the U.S. patent system has taken place. And it shows. The U.S. patent system lags woefully. One example: Patents in the United States are given to those 'first to invent.' This…

since this debate began, we have heard a lot about how the America Invents Act will help unleash the American inventive spirit. As a matter of personal pride, I point out that Vermonters have a long history of innovation and invention, and…

If we are to continue to lead the globe in innovation and production, if we are to win the future through American ingenuity and innovation, we must have a patent system that is streamlined and efficient. The America Invents Act, and a…

as I said earlier, Secretary Locke confronted the notion that the current outdated system is better for small independent inventors. He said the cost of proving that one was first to invent is prohibitive and requires detailed, complex…

I am one American who believes we can compete with anybody anywhere provided we get a level playing field. Other countries have set up enough barriers for us of their own. We shouldn't be setting up barriers here in the United States. One…

I will be analyzing how taxpayer dollars can be invested most effectively to: Continue our economic recovery; Strengthen our communities; Protect our most vulnerable families; Get workers back on the job; and Manage our Federal resources…

I want to work with my friend and colleague, Sue Collins--she and I wrote the Port Security Act--and move forward on that.

Senator Roberts, talk to YRC in Overland Park, Kansas. They almost went bankrupt because the holders of credit default swaps did not want them to work out a bankruptcy.

That's wrong. And it's just one example from a House Republican plan that focuses on short-term, slash-and-burn cuts.

I am so disappointed that the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives has targeted rail transportation for their budget cuts.

We cannot put together a Federal budget that will put our fragile economy, and millions of jobs at risk.

I just want everybody to know the two of us are ready to vote. Yesterday we took hours of delay to vote on the Leahy-Grassley, et al. amendment, and then it passed 97 to 2. So I would urge Senators who have amendments to come to the floor…

You have got in my assessment the most important job of any Committee in this Congress.

I had hoped as we began debate on this important bill to modernize America's patent system that the Senate would focus specifically on this measure designed to help create jobs, energize the economy and encourage innovation. The America…

We need to see realistic alternatives to the kind of slash and burn politics that have taken over our budget debates.

That is why I am committed to fighting to make this pilot program, which expired in December, permanent.

Chairwoman Stabenow, you remember July 2008 when we met and had a debate in front of the Democratic leadership about whether supply-demand or speculation and swaps caused $4-a-gallon gasoline.

The reason the American taxpayer is furious about the budget crisis is trillions of dollars have been spent to put Wall Street back in the saddle again.

I worked hard for adequate funding for Amtrak and to see reforms of its financial management.

We should ensure funding is available for smaller and rural communities where there is local support and committed funding for these needs.

We have stabilized the economic freefall and begun to revive the economy. Everyone knows that economic growth is the path toward budget balance. Economic growth and winning the future through American innovation is what the bipartisan…

This is a model program--it brings HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) together to use their resources more effectively to achieve results.

Yesterday, we were finally able to make progress when the Senate proceeded to a vote on the managers' amendment, the Leahy-Grassley-Kyl amendment, to the America Invents Act. That was a very important amendment, with contributions from…

I support investment in intercity and high-speed rail, but it is now time to address the program's critics head on.

I remain concerned about the fate of the funding for the Memorial Bridge replacement project.