Press Releases

“With its vote tonight, the House seized an opportunity to strengthen and protect the freedom of the press that has served our nation so well. By passing long-overdue media shield legislation, the House is helping to protect this First Amendment right that is a cornerstone of our democracy and a principle that we cherish and promote around the world."

“As Speaker of the House, I congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu on becoming Prime Minister of Israel and look forward to working with him and the new government."

“The discussion draft of comprehensive clean energy legislation released this morning by Chairmen Waxman and Markey is a strong starting point. The President has called for landmark legislation to launch a clean energy economy that will build prosperity and balance the needs of the American people and industry."

“I was so pleased to join President Obama today as he signed the most significant conservation measure to be enacted by Congress in the last 15 years. This bipartisan legislation will create more than 2 million new acres of wilderness, including more than 700,000 acres in my own state of California, and strengthen rural economies from coast to coast."

“And nobody said it better than President Obama in his address to a joint session of Congress last month, when he clearly spelled out that in order to turn the economy around, we had to make those investments. That was part of his presentation tonight, and I want to just say that I had the privilege of presenting -- on behalf of the Congress -- the flag that was flown over the Capitol when the President made those remarks to the joint session. Because those words, those words, our words ‘for liberty and justice for all' -- the justice, for people, again, to be able to realize the American Dream."

“I share President Obama's goal of a viable and competitive domestic automotive industry, which is an essential part of America's manufacturing base and our national security, and a critical source of green jobs for the future. We need a forward-looking and healthy automobile industry that prizes innovation and competitiveness."

“I support President Obama's comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President's plan is the result of a detailed study and is wisely centered on dismantling al Qaeda and denying safe havens in both Afghanistan and Pakistan to those who would attack the United States. This strategy recognizes a point that I have emphasized for years, and one that I shared with the President following my visit last month to Afghanistan, which is that we must have a regional approach to countering terrorism."

“President Obama and Congress have presented America with a budget that is a detailed blueprint for economic recovery that will cut the deficit we inherited, cut taxes for middle-income Americans, and create jobs by building a new, clean energy economy, investing in education to prepare workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans."