"But not one single jobs bill. Nearly six months...Now, it's over two months since we've had the opportunity to go to conference for a budget, a budget that would create jobs, which would grow the economy, which would reduce the deficit, and to do so in a timely fashion..."

“And so I thank the families of Newtown for turning your grief into action. The grief is still there, but the action is essential. Your unimaginable loss, turning that into unsurpassed determination to carry on. Yesterday, many of the families of Newtown met with Democratic and Republican leaders but their agenda was non-partisan. It wasn’t – we had an opportunity to hear their commitment to the cause and as Senator, Leader Reid has said: ‘We’re not backing down, this is not over. In many ways we’ve begun another phase of this fight...’"

“Over the past six months, many words have been spoken to offer our love and support to the community of Newtown and to the students and teachers of Sandy Hook. Yet, from the start, we have known that words of comfort would never be enough – they would be no substitute for the action that we must take, that would be a truly fitting memorial to the 20 children and six teachers and administrators lost that day..."

“Following in the footsteps of Alan Krueger is no easy task, but Jason Furman has earned the trust of the President, the confidence of his colleagues, and the respect of economic leaders who will work with him to help navigate our country into a strong, vibrant, and resilient economic future. We look forward to working with him to find long-term solutions that meet our challenges, reach our goals, and help move our country forward.”

“...From the Equal Pay Act signed by President Kennedy in 1963 to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act signed by President Obama in 2009, each generation has made strides toward the basic principle of equality in our country. I salute the efforts of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to ensure that America’s women – especially our daughters – earn equal pay for equal work and call upon Congress to take the next step by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act. We cannot wait another 50 years to see it become law.”

“Today, we recognize Congressman John Dingell, a remarkable leader who is taking his place in history as the longest-serving Member of Congress. As the Dean of the people’s House, he has given his constituents, his colleagues, and his country more than 57 years of extraordinary and effective leadership."

"Republicans in Congress know how we can work together to restore Americans' confidence in our economy: stop blocking measures to create jobs and appoint budget conferees so we can engage in an open and fair debate on our priorities for the future. Americans cannot afford more Republican obstruction or partisan political games. Our communities deserve a laser-like focus on solutions to grow the economy and bolster the middle class."

"...The King amendment, if enacted – well, it has passed the floor here – would require the President to strip the DREAMers of protection from deportation, even those who have undergone background checks already, and have already been granted deferred action. Nearly half a million DREAMers have applied for deferred action under the President's initiative. To date, nearly 300,000 of them have been approved for deferred action, and today, the Republicans in the House passed an amendment that would undo all of that."

"Recognizing that our economy depends on women in workplace, he took what he called, presciently “a first step.” [President Kennedy] knew it was a first step to end the “unconscionable practice” – in his words – of paying women less than men for the same amount of work. But in the course of fifty years loopholes in the Equal Pay Act were carved out and exploited. Disparities among minority women widened..."

"And to be here with all, all of my colleagues. [Congresswoman] Rosa DeLauro used the term “slavery.” That is not a term to be used lightly but the fact is, it applies here. The scale, brutality, and prevalence of sex trafficking demands that we recognize it for the atrocity that it is..."