It is up to us to stay the course in our support and investments.

We cannot afford to get caught off guard by this virus again.

Emergency COVID funding is not something that would be nice to have. It is something that we desperately need.

We owe it to each, and every one of our healthcare heroes to keep them safe.

I can't think of a more fitting tribute to that partnership than a bill that continues that legacy of making meaningful bipartisan investments to help families in my Home State of Washington, in Missouri, and across the country.

Under President Biden we have added around 8.7 million jobs. That is an all-time high. And unemployment is near all-time lows at 3.6 percent.

I hope we can all agree it is critical to continue strengthening our economy, building off the progress we made thanks to the American Rescue Plan, and last year's appropriations bills.

We have important work ahead to protect workers' rights, to raise wages, to make sure we have decent, safe, fair working conditions.

We need to bring down everyday costs for the basics, like groceries, and gas, and more, that so many families are struggling with today.

it really is our job to protect those workers and make sure they are properly paid for their work.

I have put forward a plan that will lower child care costs for families across the country by thousands of a year.

It has to be an all-of-government approach, meaning the Federal, the State, the local, but also the private sector.

The child care crisis is holding our economy back.

I think as a country we have to look and see, and realign what we do with child care.

We have to really be really intentional about it.

that is just really unacceptable, especially because last year, in a report by the Government Accountability Office on the Federal response to the pandemic, GAO made clear that OSHA inspectors were facing challenges with COVID-19 cases…

workers deserve to be safe at work.

This should be a reliable lifeline for people so they can get back on their feet.

the Federal minimum wage has been frozen since 2009, at the rate of $7.25 cents per hour.

We still have a lot of work ahead to build a stronger, fairer economy that truly works for workers not just those at the very top and giant corporations.

Democrats are focused on the economy, Mr. Secretary. We are focused on tackling inflation, lowering costs, and making sure working people get a fair shake and their fair share.

every Senator here has a serious responsibility to make sure that our veterans get the support and help they are promised after their service to our country, and that includes making sure that those who have been harmed by toxic exposures…

Cutting benefits is not an option.

significantly, expanding Federal student aid, including doubling the Pell Grant, is a big part of a solution to that

I want to thank you, Secretary Cardona, for a very thoughtful discussion about how we can support our students and our educators and our schools.