Speech

"So if it comes to creating jobs, growing the economy, reducing the deficit, investing growth and competiveness and innovation to keep America number one, I applaud President Obama for his side of the ledger. I am sorry that the price that has to be paid for it is so high at a time when everybody is preaching the gospel of deficit reduction, the Republicans come in with an increase in the deficit to the tune of over $100 billion for people in our country who need it the least. And again, where it does not create jobs."

"Mr. Speaker, today we have an opportunity to vote, once again, to close the door on a fundamental unfairness in our nation. Repealing the discriminatory ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy will honor the service and sacrifice of all who dedicated their lives to protecting the American people."

"It is an emotional occasion for many of us. It is also an intellectual experience of the highest order. I compliment the Nobel Committee for its excellent choice. It is so overwhelming that at long last the world will know, the people of China will, somehow or other, receive the message about Liu Xiaobo and not only him--all of the others who have made sacrifices for freedom."

"Tonight we have an opportunity to identify with the aspirations of our founders. And we know that if we are going to have a better future for our country, it is important for us to recognize the children who are here."

"Through the gift and the lighting of this magnificent tree and its ornaments, we are showcasing the beauty of the Equality State for the entire nation to see."

"This, combined with our health bill, with the other initiatives that relate to children's health, will make not only our children healthier but our country healthier. This is an issue about their well-being. I always say, every night when I go to sleep, I think of the one in five children in America who lives in poverty, one in five children who, maybe more than that, go to sleep hungry at night. So it is a moral responsibility that we have to our children."

"This is the first time in American history when unemployment benefits would have been allowed to expire at this rate of unemployment."

"We all come together with a shared value. And we come together proudly to support a bill that passed unanimously with bipartisan support, unanimously in the United States Senate. I congratulate the Senate for the action that they took to give us the opportunity to be here today."