“Our constituents have made it clear time and time again: we must work together to create jobs, to strengthen the middle class, and to grow the economy. Yet, once again, Republicans refuse to listen. Instead, we are debating legislation that endangers women’s health and that disrespects the judgment of the American women and their doctors on how to make judgments about women’s health..."

“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..."

"I am very honored to be with you today on this very, very special occasion, when you gave the 2012 democracy award to Min Ko Naing – I welcome you to the Capitol with great respect and admiration – thank you for your courage and your leadership. And also to thank all of you for being here as well... We lose all moral authority to talk about human rights in any country in the world if we are not willing to talk about it in a country as big as China. We lose all authority to talk about it with any country in the world if we say economic interests in Burma prevent us from doing this. And so, it is with respect for you – and you deserve a great deal of credit for keeping this flame alive by making it the award. Thank you National Endowment for Democracy."

“[Barney Frank] understood that self-respect and dignity that comes with having a place to call home, that dignity making a difference in the lives of every American. He followed his conscience to end discrimination, secure equality for LGBT Americans, and all Americans, and Robert spoke so beautifully about that. Whether it was immigration, or whatever. A fully-inclusive hate crimes law, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the drive for marriage equality, ENDA, which we still have to get done – each shared the imprint of Barney Frank..."

“So, I hope it is a comfort to the people of the region, that their loss is one that is shared, and mourned, by people across the world, certainly in our country, and definitely in this Congress of the United States. Whatever it is in our power to be helpful to them, we will do, and we will do quickly. And that most importantly, they will always, always, always, and ever, be in our prayers."

“Today, you graduate at a time when public service is not only commendable, it is essential; when our common values of fairness and equality must not only be restated, but they must be strengthened. We need now, is the courage – your courage – to face, confront, and overcome some of the challenges of our time, the challenges to our democracy. Today, these challenges are being reflected over the meaning of our Constitution at the highest court in the land..."

“King Hall Graduates, you enter a world shaped by enormous challenges, defined by extraordinary opportunity, requiring bold decisions. You face these challenges with the law and the Constitution as your foundation, with a chosen field or profession fundamental to our democracy and central to the pursuit of the American Dream. You have stepped forward at a time when public service is not only commendable, it is essential; when our common values of fairness and equality must not only be restated, but they must be re-strengthened."

“First of all, it is our job to come here and act for the good of the American people. And right now the American people see that good as the creation of jobs. What is it, 134 days into this Congress? And the Republican majority has yet to put forth one bill, vote one bill out to create jobs, to have evasion. Here we are today with yet another one of their subterfuges: ‘let’s not talk about jobs. Let’s use up time.’ And that adds to – what has been up until now – $54 million dollars, 43, some days spent on this – the 37th effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. What we should be doing is what the Republicans have asked for: regular order, to go to the budget table, to reconcile the differences between the House and the Senate, so that we can put forth a product, a budget that creates jobs, that reduces the deficit, that strengthens the middle class..."

“In our time, half-a-century later – half-a-century after Dr. King stirred the souls of a nation, the question remains: how do you truly ensure that freedom is forever exalted? Dr. King gave us this challenge. In your game changers that I’ve seen this evening, you give us a path. The game change to meet the challenge about what must be advanced: economic sustainability, education, health care access for all, public safety, federal justice and voter empowerment. These game changers are essential, not only to us as individuals; they are essential to strengthen the middle class, which is the backbone of our democracy..."

“So Members vote the way they’re going to vote on this, but recognize, recognize that this is not the way Congress should be meeting the needs of the American people. Let’s go to the conference. Mr. Speaker, appoint conferees so can end this mindless addressing the sequestration."