“Yet within that same year, House Republicans have done nothing but offer excuses for their failure to act. Instead of allowing a vote on the bipartisan comprehensive immigration our nation wants and needs, House Republicans break promises, abandon their principles, and vote to deport bright young DREAMers from the only country they have ever known.”

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will deliver commencement addresses this year at UC Berkeley and Bard College.

“In response to the President’s renewed call for action on comprehensive immigration reform, Congressman Cantor once again offered only excuses for inaction. With 30 House Republicans on the record in support of comprehensive reform, Rep. Cantor’s ridiculous statement this evening confirms that the Republican leadership continues to stand in the way of legislation that would pass the House immediately if allowed to come to the floor.”

“Today, in Boston and across the country, we stand united – sharing in prayers for the continued recovery of the victims and their families, and for a future free from fear. We will continue to work to those ends, and ensure that our efforts honor the perseverance and resilience of a city that is truly Boston Strong.”

“As Jewish families across the country and around the world prepare to gather for Passover to celebrate the blessings of freedom, let us rededicate ourselves to preserving and protecting the freedom of all Americans to worship, to practice their faith, and to live without fear of hate, prejudice and violence. Let us ensure that acts of bigotry never go unanswered. Let us defend the safety of every neighborhood and the security of every family, regardless of religion or background.”

“Evidence continues to mount that the Affordable Care Act is building a healthier and stronger future for our nation, improving the quality of care and holding down cost growth for millions of American families. Yet despite the savings the Affordable Care Act is realizing for middle-class families and for our nation, Republicans continue their desperate fixation with its repeal. It is long past time for Republicans to abandon their ceaseless assaults on the health coverage of millions of Americans, and join Democrats to ensure that in the United States of America, health care will be a right, not a privilege.”

“Director Burwell will have big shoes to fill at Health and Human Services. Secretary Sebelius leaves a legacy of millions of Americans with newfound health security – women, children, seniors, workers, and families with new rights and better care. She leaves the Department of Health and Human Services with groundbreaking achievements to her name, and an American health care system strengthened as never before. Our nation owes her a great debt of gratitude, and we know that Director Burwell will continue her great legacy of leadership.”

“Democrats have a better plan: create jobs, strengthen the middle class, invest in the future, reduce the deficit, and build an economy that works for everyone. We should be renewing emergency unemployment insurance, raising the minimum wage, and passing comprehensive immigration reform that will grow our economy, empower small business, spur innovation, and reduce the deficit by nearly $900 billion. Republicans’ backwards priorities are the wrong path for our nation, and unworthy of the American people.”

“Republicans’ broken priorities are the wrong path for our nation, and unworthy of the American people.” Leader Pelosi said. “This budget is nothing less than a road to economic ruin that betrays California’s seniors, students, workers, women and families. As this new report demonstrates, the Ryan Republican budget would have a devastating impact on California and the future of our nation.”

“So by reason of treasure, by reason of heart, by reason of values, by reason of ethics, by reason of honoring our responsibility to the American people – a good strong ‘no’ on the Ryan Republican budget. It is a path to ruin. It is not a path to prosperity. Mr. Van Hollen’s budget is a about growth, about investment, about keeping America number one, about strengthening the middle class – which is the backbone of our democracy.”