“Approximately seven out of 10 deaths in the United States are linked to chronic disease. Exposure to air pollution and harmful chemicals has been linked to many of these illnesses, including asthma, cancer and neurological disorders,” said Speaker Pelosi. “In California, for example, more than 33 million people live in areas where high levels of air pollution pose health risks, and breast cancer rates in San Francisco are among the highest in the country.”

“Today, Congress today took a critical step forward in our efforts to reform the way Wall Street does business and to prevent a financial crisis in the future that threatens our nation’s economic health…”

“So this is a very positive, bipartisan initiative to help our auto industry, to help consumers, to grow our economy, to do it in an environmentally sound way, and I think is the perfect message for us to take home for August…”

‘Today’s better-than-expected news that the GDP has swung more than 5 percentage points in just three months is dramatic evidence that the economy is headed in the right direction. We still have a long way to go, as millions of Americans remain unemployed and small businesses from coast to coast are suffering. But economic growth is the first step to creating jobs, and with the right economic policies, we are making progress toward recovery…”

“All parents deserve to have confidence that the food they are feeding their children is safe. Yet recent outbreaks of food-borne illness have proven that there are widespread problems with our current food safety system, as we rely on a more global and industrialized food supply…”

“In naming the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients today, President Obama has honored the fundamental values of service and progress. Though those to be honored have a diversity of backgrounds, they share a commitment to change, to improving their communities and our world…”

“Our relationship is one between the United States and the Philippines that is valued by all of us here. So, I’m pleased to welcome the President as well as the Speaker, as well as the Ambassador…”

“Congress is closer than ever before in history to passing comprehensive health insurance reform. Already, the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee have reported out this critical legislation. This afternoon, the Energy and Commerce Committee will resume its markup and will report out a bill this week. Over August, the three House committees will work to reconcile their versions and produce strong legislation…”

“Today, Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder announced that $1 billion in grants were awarded to law enforcement agencies across the country through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and preserve jobs. I am proud to report that California will receive more than $211 million, with $16.5 million for the City of San Francisco…”

“Today we come together to salute Speaker Hastert for his leadership, his decency, and his long record of distinguished service to the Congress…”