“In the days ahead, I will work with local officials to ensure that all those injured receive the necessary care they need to heal and the perpetrator of this travesty is brought to justice. For the families who are shouldering such devastating loss, know that all of San Francisco offers our prayers and deepest sympathies in this sad time.”

As the Leader writes in her letter, “recent disclosures regarding intelligence collection activities have underscored the need for the Board to assess the impact of government actions and to ensure our national security policies are consistent with our privacy and civil liberties expectations.”

“I call upon our friends in the faith community and they’re here on this issue as well as most of the farmers groups and all the rest. There’s nobody – there’s nobody – outside this body who supports this bill who cares about the values that we all profess to have within these walls. So again, taking food out of the mouths of babies, that’s a good policy? I don’t think so. Vote no on this rule. Thank you.”

“It’s time to engage in a fair and open debate on our priorities, enact a budget that replaces the sequester, reduces the deficit, creates jobs, strengthens the middle class, and takes us into the future. It’s a stunning thing that we have no jobs bill and we have no budget after the Republicans have said we want regular order on the budget.”

“As Americans, our democracy is only as strong as we are as a people. Our strength depends on the economic security and prosperity of every hardworking American family who aspires to become part of the middle class – the backbone of our democracy. Today, House Republicans undermined that strength. Now, it’s time for them to change course and work with Democrats to protect and promote the prosperity of our children, families, and future generations.”

“History teaches us that progress on civil rights is never easy, and is often marked by small and difficult steps. But today, the Senate HELP Committee acted in a bipartisan way to bring us closer to fulfilling the ideal of equality, our heritage and our hope. It is time for the full Senate to follow suit, for the House to vote on this measure without further delay, and for ENDA to become the law of the land.”

Leader Pelosi went on to state, “Mr. Speaker: if you decide to take up various elements of comprehensive immigration reform under separate votes, it is essential to remember that those key elements are interconnected and necessary for reform.”

“The grants for community health centers are just one part of a comprehensive effort to make applying for health coverage easy, simple, and secure. As we approach the beginning of open enrollment season on October 1st, we will continue to provide the necessary tools, information, and support to ensure that millions of uninsured Americans will have access to the affordable, quality health insurance the Affordable Care Act is designed to provide.”

“Two weeks ago, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill. We hope now that the House will act, again, in a bipartisan way. In that spirit I sent a letter to Speaker Boehner today urging bipartisan action to pass comprehensive immigration reform [and] highlighting the work of the Bipartisan Taskforce of 7.”

“Again, our prayers are with those who suffered through that tragedy and the trauma that many experienced that is beyond physical but hopefully comforted by the prayers and interests of others. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.”