Duncan has shown himself to be a hands-on practitioner who will shape his strategy for change from lessons learned during his years of improving schools.

I urge the Senate to confirm his nomination as quickly as possible.

I think we did wind up with a situation where we have preserved pensions for people, as well as kept the companies in business.

Personal attacks? I don't think that has a place in what we're doing.

Your life is one that epitomizes the American Dream, and your dedication to public service is admirable and should serve as an example to young people everywhere.

The current data and methodology for determining prevailing rates has been criticized as being highly unscientific, error-filled.

If confirmed, would you pledge to cooperate in this type of a working relationship with all Senators on this committee, Democrat or Republican?

I think it's smarter to invest when they're young--through programs like Head Start--rather than spending $50,000 a year to keep a kid who fell off track in jail.

While we don't always agree and won't always agree, we have both put concrete healthcare proposals on the table for discussion.

The American people deserve solutions, not just debate.

The argument that it cuts the deficit in half in 4 years is truly spurious.

Nobody in America, I think, believes that we can spend the $700 billion or the $820 billion efficiently.