Spending and tax cut decisions must be both fiscally responsible and fair to our working families. I believe that fiscal responsibility is the way to create prosperity for America and secure the retirement of America’s seniors.

Whether it’s making sure that families have access to quality health care and child care, or making sure that our children receive the best educational opportunities we can give them, we must remain committed to these needs because our children are our future.

It’s not my job to dream your dreams. It’s my job to make your dreams become a reality.

If we are to give working mothers, fathers and their children an opportunity to live the American dream we must invest in their future.

This crisis has shown just how important this safety net is to our nation,

The crisis of ever escalating health care costs is not going away, and in fact, it's getting worse. Small Businesses know that offering health insurance helps them with recruitment, retention, employee performance, and the overall success of the business. This is something I firmly believe Congress should address right now. Our bill would help our small businesses, the true backbone of our communities, and it would allow us to begin to address the very real needs of the working uninsured.

We go to foreign countries and say, 'Our farmers will do what is right,' but turn deaf and dumb when those countries do not play by the same rules.

It is about our personal responsibility to strengthen our community. This is about making us strong enough and leaving a legacy.

In rural areas of America, there is a growing increase in poverty, homelessness and hunger. You cannot separate these factors from domestic violence ?- a mother with three kids and no financial security is going to stiffen her lip and take the abuse, because not only does she have nowhere else to go, she has three children depending on her for survival.

"America's Cold War veterans deserve every honor we can bestow upon them for their hard work and dedication to keeping our nation safe,". "The Cold War Service Medal would allow military service members, veterans, and their families to receive the recognition and honor they rightfully deserve. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our veterans receive the support and care they and their families need. It's the least we can do as a grateful nation."