I support the pending nomination of Mr. Arne Duncan to be Secretary of Education. I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Duncan earlier this month, although I have been aware of his work in Chicago for a number of years. What struck me the…

I have spent my 12 years in the Senate trying to work across the aisle, trying to get things to happen around here. I found the way things happen is, if they go through the whole process--

for the past 2 weeks, I have been patiently waiting for what everyone in this chamber knew was inevitable. When the Senate passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act on October 1, 2008, we included a stipulation allowing the…

We need to take an honest assessment of our current financial regulatory system and address the fundamental problems that have caused this meltdown.

I have been working on increasing the adoption of health information technology for the past 4 years and I am hopeful that this is the year when we can finally get something done.

I still suggest on bills that we are going to do, if they go through the committee process, the committee markup process, we have a better idea of the intensity from each of the members on the committee. We have a better idea of alternate…

I commend Secretary-Designate Tom Daschle's commitment to work on patient privacy, information security, and appropriate uses of health IT in health reform.

I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on the HELP and Finance committees and with the incoming Obama administration to ensure that our promise of a coordinated health care system is delivered to the American people.

I urge the President-elect to ensure all Federal investments in health IT are fiscally sustainable and financially sound.

I congratulate Senator Mikulski and Senator Murray, and all of the people who have worked on the bill for their dedication to women's rights and their dedication to civil rights. I have been referred to several times as a reasonable voice…

Our Federal response so far has been to throw money at the problem and hope it goes away.

Thousands of Montanans have told me over these past few months that we need to find the criminals who brought us into this situation and send them to their 8x10 cells.

I write to endorse Arne Duncan's appointment as U.S. Secretary of Education.

It is imperative that the government has leaders that can seek bipartisan solutions and provide leadership and guidance on important education policy issues.

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

Education is the great equalizer, and we must ensure that it is accessible to all.

Do you agree that regulations promulgated under your authority should be based on legislative authority?

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.