Press Releases

"'The challenges are many: fighting genocide in Darfur; addressing the needs of those living in poverty; and being good stewards of God's creation, particularly our beautiful environment, among so many others. I join with all of you in a humble prayer that this year we each meet these challenges in our own way."

"'Last November, the American people voted for a New Direction in Iraq, but the President chose instead to escalate the war by reverting to a 'surge' strategy that had failed four times before. The President promised the American people that this surge would be a short-term effort to provide space for political reform and national reconciliation in Iraq. Today, despite overwhelming evidence that neither goal has been achieved, General Petraeus testified that the surge would last at least until next summer. This is simply unacceptable."

"'I have been here before privately and publicly many times, and what I have seen here today with my own eyes is dazzling. The goal of terrorism is to instill fear, and with this rebuilding, the message New York is sending is that the terrorists have failed."

"'The bipartisan patent reform bill is a significant step toward our Innovation Agenda. It will strengthen the patent system and improve patent quality."

"'This legislation cuts the interest rates on student loans in half, saving nearly 7 million students who take out need-based federal loans about $4,400. It increases the maximum Pell Grant scholarship more than $1,000, giving 5.5 million students help to afford the expanding cost of college. The bill makes an investment in the 2.3 million students who attend Historically Black College and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and other minority serving schools. It also ensures that we have highly qualified teachers in our classrooms - a key proposal of House Democrats' Innovation Agenda - by providing upfront tuition for highly qualified teachers who agree to teach in a high needs school."

"'When people ask me what the three most important issues facing the Congress, I always say the same thing: our children, our children, our children. Their health; their education; the economic security of their families; the retirement and security of their grandparents; healthy, safe neighborhood and environment in which they can thrive; and a world at peace in which they can participate."

"'On the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was deeply involved in consumer issues, including protecting consumers from unfair credit report practices. He also worked to preserve our history by supporting and improving sites honoring our nation's presidents. As Vice President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Congressman Gillmor was the highest-ranking American in this highly esteemed international organization of parliamentary members from the 26 NATO nations."