Press Releases

"'President Bush is choosing confrontation and partisanship that will only delay critical investments for our troops, our children, and our seniors. Instead of working with Democrats to reconcile our differences over the nation's spending bills, the President threatens to veto major new investments in education, health care, energy independence, and innovation."

"'The thoughts and prayers of all House members are with the families and friends of those lost in last evening's tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis. While nothing can assuage their grief, I hope it is some comfort that so many are praying for them in this difficult time."

"'Today, in our fifth year of war in Iraq, the readiness of our forces has declined precipitously as the result of lengthy deployments. Our soldiers are serving their third and fourth tours of duty in Iraq, a war without end. This is unacceptable, especially at a time when the most recent National Intelligence Estimate shows that al Qaeda is gaining strength and the threat of terrorism against the United States is growing."

"'Effective drug treatments have improved both the health and quality of life for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, many uninsured, low-income HIV-positive individuals still do not have access to these life-saving medications because they individuals generally do not meet Medicaid requirements until they are disabled by full-blown AIDS. As a result, there is a pressing need to eliminate barriers to early drug therapy."

"'My long-stated goal has been to bring to the floor a strong energy bill that builds on the unity we have within the Democratic Caucus."

"'They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the phrase '9/11' is worth more than a thousand pictures. Pictures of the faces of the families of 9/11 who came to lobby Congress to establish the Commission in the first place. Without their leadership and advocacy, there would have been no 9/11 Commission, and therefore no 9/11 Commission legislation today."

"'Thank you very much, Chairman Emanuel, for your great leadership on this issue of lobbying reform. I want to commend you, and I want to commend another member of our leadership, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, for his leadership as well."

"'The New Direction Congress achieved a crucial victory today for justice and equality with the passage of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This legislation corrects a recent Supreme Court decision that severely restricted the right of workers to have their day in court when their employers have engaged in pay discrimination."