Press Releases

“Everybody believes we ought not to go off the cliff. Sequester is not a good idea, and if we went off the cliff it would have substantial adverse effects on the economy. Nobody wants to go over the cliff including, in my opinion, [Speaker] John Boehner. However, we ought not to hold hostage middle-class tax cuts.”

Today, the full Senate is considering the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a landmark treaty that will strengthen the rights and freedoms of individuals with disabilities throughout the world – and which was reported favorably by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July.  The Disabilities Convention draws heavily on the Americans with Disabilities Act, which Congress passed in 1990 with broad bipartisan support, and the Convention has already been championed by an array of leaders from both parties.  Its ratification will send a strong message that the United States is committed to the human rights, equal opportunity, and full inclusion of all who live with disabilities in our country and every other.  I was proud to have helped lead the effort, along with former Rep. Tony Coelho and others, to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act, and I join in calling on the Senate to agree to the Convention’s swift ratification.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator Warren Rudman this week. Our nation has lost an extraordinary man of integrity who often worked across the aisle in order to address our country’s most pressing challenges. Throughout his career, he was committed to fiscal responsibility and worked with both parties to make the tough choices necessary to bring down our deficits and balance the budget. As we work to restore fiscal responsibility, Rudman’s legacy serves as an important reminder of what we can accomplish when we put country before party and work together to confront our budget challenges. I join in mourning his passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

Israel, like all sovereign nations, has a fundamental duty to its citizens to defend their lives and their property.  For years now, Israel has endured thousands of rocket attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.  These attacks have targeted civilian areas throughout Southern Israel  - and today even reached as far north as the outskirts of Tel Aviv.  As long as this terrorist organization continues to avoid disarming, abiding by past agreements, or recognizing Israel’s right to exist, it will continue to be isolated by the international community and be the cause of further hardship for the Palestinian civilians who suffer at its hands. 

"Over the past few days, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of my colleagues, and I appreciate the support I’ve received from them to remain Democratic Whip. I look forward to working with Leader Pelosi as we keep our Caucus united and continue our efforts to return to the majority. Democrats will work to find common ground where we can so that we can create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and pursue responsible deficit reduction and fiscal balance. As Democratic Whip, I will continue to work with all the Members of our Caucus to get things done for the American people."

“I join in saluting the men and women who have served our nation in uniform.  Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the courage and dedication of those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect American lives and the values we hold dear.  In particular, we honor our men and women who have recently returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and we rededicate ourselves to making sure they can transition smoothly back to civilian life and receive the care they need to heal any wounds they sustained – both physical and psychological.

“Today's report marks the thirty-second consecutive month our economy has added private sector jobs – a strong sign that our recovery is continuing and that the economic policies of the Obama Administration are helping move America forward.  More Americans are going back to work, and we are reversing the severe job losses that occurred under the Bush Administration.

"Senator George McGovern never stopped fighting for the causes of peace, freedom, and human dignity at home and around the world. From his humble roots in South Dakota to his heroic service as a bomber pilot over Europe in World War II, from his decades in public office to his run for the presidency, Senator McGovern's own life exemplified the American Dream that he worked so hard to make possible for millions.

Today's decision by the President to impose tough tariffs on Chinese solar imports is just the latest step by the Obama Administration to get tough on foreign companies who don't play by the rules. I applaud his move, which will help American manufacturers compete here at home and overseas.

“Today's ruling in Pennsylvania affirms what Democrats have contended all along:  that new, Republican-sponsored voter identification laws are an attempt to suppress the votes of eligible Americans. In a democracy, that’s not what we ought to do. We ought to encourage and facilitate every vote.