“Americans cannot afford the Republican plan that takes us back to the failed policies that crippled our economy in the first place – unnecessary tax cuts for the wealthy, unregulated Wall Street, and unpaid-for spending. Yet, for the past two years in the majority, House Republicans – joined by Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan – have offered a repeat of this same agenda, threatening middle class security and our economic growth. Americans deserve better."

"We are all grateful to the rescue workers and first responders working around-the-clock to save lives, restore power, and deal with the immediate aftermath of the storm. Federal, state, and local authorities have worked hand-in-hand to prepare for and respond to this natural disaster, and we will continue to do so as Americans begin to take stock of the damage, recover, and rebuild."

"Tonight, San Francisco celebrates as our Giants have once again made us the proudest city in baseball. As our team brings the second World Series victory to our hometown, we celebrate them for their excellence at America's game. The San Francisco Giants have once again made us proud."

If the Tigers win, Leader Pelosi will supply her colleagues from Michigan with an assortment of San Francisco’s finest chocolates from Ghiradelli, TCHO, and See’s Candies. If the Giants win, the Michigan Members will provide the following to the Leader"

“George McGovern once said that after he had passed away, he wanted people to say, ‘He did the best he could to end hunger in this country and the world.’ Indeed, he did. He was a humanitarian with a tactical touch, and he saved the lives of many at home and abroad."

“Yet House Republicans remain stuck in the past, and have wasted nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer dollars on losing legal battles to protect discriminatory laws. Rather than join Democrats to create jobs and strengthen the middle class, Republicans refuse to abandon their reprehensible fight to deny basic civil rights and justice to an entire group of their fellow Americans, while sending the bill to the American taxpayer and in this particular case, also sought to impose unjust taxes on an American family."

“For more than a year, Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republicans have committed valuable taxpayer dollars to defending discrimination and preserving inequality – only to lose case after case in their effort to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act. There is nothing effective or efficient about this utter abuse of the people’s trust or the public purse; it is simply wasteful and wrong, and Americans deserve better."

"From the committee room to the Senate chamber, Senator Specter offered a voice of reason and passion in every debate – always willing to reach across the aisle and work across party lines to get the job done, regardless of political gamesmanship or gain. As a fellow appropriator, I was honored to work with him to invest in the health of our veterans, scientific and medical research, and a host of other priorities."

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Democratic Committee Members today called on GOP Committee Chairs to return to Washington to address the urgent needs of the American people to create jobs, guarantee economic certainty with the extension of middle class tax cuts, pass a bipartisan Farm bill, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and achieve a balanced solution to the fiscal cliff.

"Merv knew how to build a political network better than nearly anyone. He opened doors for the next generation of minority leaders. He remained committed to public service for his entire life, serving not just as an elder statesman but a public official well into his eighties."