Floor Statements
September 30, 2010
When President Obama and the 111th Congress took their oaths of office, America was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We were losing almost 800,000 jobs per month. Over a quarter of the personal wealth in America had been wiped out. We were in a record amount of debt. From the day we began our work, Congress had this overriding goal: stopping the freefall, creating jobs, and building a solid foundation for the future.
September 23, 2010
In our work to recover from the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, small businesses play a very important role. They are our economy's job-creating engine: over the past year, 64% of new jobs came from small businesses. Keeping small businesses growing and creating jobs is essential to our recovery. And supporting small businesses is an essential part of rebuilding American industry—which is why this important small business lending bill is part of Democrats' Make It In America agenda, a plan to strengthen American manufacturing and its ability to create well-paying, middle-class jobs.
September 22, 2010
In fewer than four months, Southern Sudan will hold a referendum on independence, which was guaranteed by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The C.P.A. ended Africa's bloodiest civil war, a war which took almost 2 million lives and displaced 4 million—yet the risk of descending into war again seems all too real.
September 15, 2010
Saint Paul wrote: "We fix our eyes not on things that are seen, but on things unseen; for what is seen passes away, but what is unseen endures." As long as we live, each September we will mark an anniversary of loss: of the day we saw monuments of our power and pride turn to dust; of the day so many we loved were taken from us in an instant; a day of fear and anger that is becoming, with time, a day of remembrance and resolve.
September 14, 2010
As we did nine years ago, today we stand united as one people: united in memory of the dead of September 11th, 2001; united in awe at the heroic sacrifices that graced that dark day, and so many since; and united in resolve to defend our nation and the ideals that animate its spirit.
July 28, 2010
For 75 years, Social Security has been more than a retirement program: it has meant dignity, security, and peace of mind for generations of our seniors.
July 28, 2010
Americans have always looked to our manufacturing sector as a source of economic vitality—and as a source of pride.
July 26, 2010
Twenty years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act strengthened our country's core value of equal opportunity.
July 22, 2010
Twenty years ago on Monday, the Americans with Disabilities Act strongly committed our country to inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. It was a landmark piece of legislation, and its effects have been widely felt.
July 22, 2010
Twenty years ago on Monday, the first President Bush signed into law one of the most consequential pieces of civil rights legislation in recent memory.
July 22, 2010
For generations, Americans have looked to our manufacturing sector as a source of pride, a source of economic vitality, and a source of good-paying jobs.
July 19, 2010
Nearly 2.5 million out-of-work Americans are without unemployment insurance today.
June 30, 2010
This week, the Republican Leader, Mr. Boehner, compared reforming Wall Street to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon." The greatest economic crisis since the Depression may look miniature to him—but not to the eight million Americans whose jobs it took away, or the millions more who saw their savings devastated, or the families in every one of our districts who have lost their homes.
June 24, 2010
I rise in strong support of the DISCLOSE Act. For more than a century, Mr. Speaker, America has limited the role of private money in public elections.
June 24, 2010
Every one of us understands the deep danger of a nuclear Iran.
June 16, 2010
Small businesses are the job-creating engine of our economy. They employ more than half of all employees in the private sector, and they have created 64% of net new jobs over the past 15 years.
June 9, 2010
In the early morning hours of Monday, May 31, Israeli naval forces intercepted six ships, carrying mostly Turkish demonstrators, attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
May 28, 2010
Herb Shanks is retiring today after serving as Attendant for the House Democratic Cloakroom since 1973.
May 28, 2010
Since inheriting the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and an economy shedding 800,000 jobs per month, President Obama and the 111th Congress have been dedicated to standing up for the middle class, its interests, and its future.
May 27, 2010
Democrats in Congress have worked closely with President Obama to fight our enemies, promote our interests and support our troops and their families—compiling a record of securing our nation in stronger and smarter ways.
May 19, 2010
This legislation is named in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who dedicated her long life to public service, and especially to the inclusion of those with intellectual disabilities.
May 12, 2010
I rise in support of the America COMPETES Act, which creates jobs in the short-term and builds a strong foundation for prosperity in the long-term.
April 28, 2010
America faces a massive budget challenge, which includes record debt brought on by eight years of Republican fiscal recklessness.
April 20, 2010
We are gathered here in honor of the Boys and Girls Clubs, its extraordinary work—and in honor of the irreplaceable Tim Russert.
March 24, 2010
In the winter of 2008, America did not know whether it was heading for a Second Great Depression.
