one of the many values that makes America so great is that no matter where we start off from in life, we believe that we all deserve to have a shot at the American dream. We all deserve an opportunity to work hard, support our families…

I came to the floor this afternoon to speak on behalf of thousands of families in my home State of Washington who stand to lose everything they have because a few Republican Senators continue to put politics ahead of policy. Men and women…

I congratulate Child Care Resources of King County for 20 years of service to the community. This organization is a leader in King County and occupies a critical role for children and families within the community. Through promoting equity…

I have been working very hard over the last several months to extend the critical sales tax deduction for families and small businesses in my home State of Washington and in a number of other States in this country. I know how important…

We thank Senator Murray and the members of the subcommittee for their past support of a strong Federal transportation program.

I am deeply disappointed that the Republicans have again objected to us moving forward. Middle-class families in my home State of Washington are struggling. I have heard from so many of them who have lost their jobs, who have seen their…

I come to the floor once again to speak in strong support of the DISCLOSE Act, which would close the glaring campaign finance loopholes that have been opened by the Citizens United ruling. This Supreme Court ruling was a true step backward…

one of the many values that make America so great is that no matter where we start off from in life we believe that we all deserve to have a shot at the American dream. We all deserve an opportunity to work hard, support our families, and…

Denial of something at the time never gets us to a good place later.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, in his statement, the former Secretary Principi made some suggestions: to improve the Agent Orange Act of 1991, including some new studies in dioxin level blood testing; to direct the IOM…

Make no mistake; I believe that veterans who have sacrificed so much deserve the benefit of the doubt.

We cannot do it at the expense of squeezing our veterans.

today I am joining with Senator Brownback to introduce a bipartisan amendment to the Defense authorization bill that will save and create jobs in one of the most important sectors in our economy--our aerospace industry. Our amendment is…

over the last several months I have been pushing very hard for this legislation that would help small business owners in my home State of Washington access the capital they need to expand and create jobs. I stand here today to urge all of…

I think we have learned some important lessons from that.

Stem cell research is not just about science--it's about hope.

stopping Federal investment of this research mid-stream would result in wasting the funds that have been put in accounts or already drawn down.

I want to thank Senator Harkin for his leadership on this, but I especially want to thank Senator Specter too whose voice we will miss on this panel.

We have to be consistent with this funding and meet our legal and moral obligations.

We simply cannot afford to allow potential cures to be slowed down or halted by the political process.

I was so glad when President Obama issued an Executive order in March of last year to lift the restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

I listened with interest to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle come to oppose the amendment that is being offered, and it is surprising to me because, as everyone knows, we are in a very tough economic recovery right now. All of…

I am pleased to introduce the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act. Even though pulmonary fibrosis, or PF, kills almost as many people as breast cancer every year, it has not received the attention it deserves. Imagine being told by…

Thank you. Mr. President, recently we have had the opportunity to consider several bills in the Senate to help ease the burdens for our middle-class families and small business owners that they are facing in this recession. In late June…

I am proud to support the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate has few responsibilities more important than our constitutional obligation to advise and consent on…