Patty Murray

I am very glad the President has taken a balanced approach with this budget proposal.

Expanding preschool would not only help our youngest children and pay dividends in future economic growth; it would empower millions of women who would be able to go to work and give back to their communities.

We believe that a robust and growing middle class is critical to growing a stronger, more resilient economy and a competitive future.

Democrats and Republicans finally came together to pass a budget and roll back the irresponsible cuts from sequestration.

House Republicans seem to have finally realized that Democrats are not going to pay a ransom to allow the Federal Government to pay its bills.

Since 2009, the deficit has been cut in half. We need to build on that work, fairly and responsibly.

We were sent here by our constituents to solve problems, not create them; to work together, not tear each other apart.

I would not be here today if they had not been available to me.

I think we should move forward in two ways. First, we need to work to ensure every family has the opportunity to succeed in America.

I invite all of our colleagues--Democrats and Republicans--to join me this year in building on the bipartisan work we have done and investing in our national priorities.

I could not agree more. As a former preschool teacher, I know the difference it can make in a child's life.

We should build on that by investing in broad-based economic growth and expanding opportunities for families.

At a time when families across the country have been reeling from the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, brinkmanship in Congress infused uncertainty into the economy.

Divided Government requires that Republicans and Democrats work together.

Late last year, after the Government shutdown and debt limit scare, Republicans dropped their demands and joined with Democrats to re-open the Government.

You are only as serious about the debt and deficit as you are putting it in relation to other things.

Raising the minimum wage would boost the upward economic mobility of low-wage workers.

The bipartisan budget deal was a step in the right direction. But it was only a step.

Now is the time to move away from governing by crisis and move forward by investing in priorities that help families and communities all across the country.

The credit is leaving low-income workers without dependent children behind.

Time is running out. And the longer Republicans take to dream up empty debt limit demands, the more economic uncertainty and harm they will cause.

I really appreciate the opportunity to be here today with Senator Cantwell to introduce Suzie LeVine...

I think we have to not just focus on a 4-year degree, but what path it is they need past high school to get those jobs that we all want them to have.

I want to express my gratitude especially to Senator Patty Murray, my home State Senator from Washington, for her role in improving the lives of Washingtonians and especially for low-income students in the State.

I really appreciate your focus on that and couldn't agree more.