Press Releases

“‘Leader Reid, it seems like yesterday we were here urging the Senate to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home. And here we are, one week later, gathered here to observe a remarkable thing. An increase in minimum wage shouldn’t be that remarkable, but it took 10 long years because of Republican obstructionism to block fairness for an increase in the minimum wage. Ten years. In fact, in the last Congress, the Republicans prevented consideration of the minimum wage coming to the House floor 11 times. Does that tell you whose side they are on?”

“‘Today’s vote to renew U.S. import restrictions on the military regime in Burma sends a clear message that those fighting for democracy and human rights in Burma do not stand alone in their struggle.”

“‘Those here today – who will become the newest Americans – exemplify what our great nation is all about. You have brought your hopes and dreams to a land where hopes and dreams can come true. I am proud to help you on your way to becoming American citizens.”

“We write to request a meeting with you to see if we can reach agreement on FY2008 appropriations issues and avoid a protracted battle over relatively small differences.”

“‘While Democrats have fought for a pay raise for our troops all along, the President was against the pay raise before he was for it. Two months ago, his Administration explicitly opposed Democratic efforts to give our troops a 3.5 percent raise and threatened to veto legislation if the pay raise was passed by Congress, calling it ‘unnecessary.'”

“‘The Farm Bill represents a critical first step toward reform by eliminating payments to millionaires, closing loopholes that permit evasion of payment limits, and promoting our nation’s family farmers.”

“‘Today’s decision by the conferees on the 9/11 bill to adopt a requirement for 100 percent screening of maritime cargo containers before they reach the United States addresses a major security vulnerability and will make the American people safer from terrorist attacks.”

“‘Most Senate Republicans continue to obstruct Democratic efforts to force a new direction in Iraq, instead choosing to continue to stand squarely behind the failed policies of President Bush. By blocking an up-or-down vote on an amendment to responsibly end the war in Iraq, Senate Republicans have once again thwarted the will of a majority of the United States Senate, a majority of the House of Representatives, and a majority of the American people.”

“‘The Bush Administration’s unnecessary, ill-conceived, and ill-planned war in Iraq has made Americaless secure by turning our nation’s full attention away from fighting terrorism. As the National Intelligence Estimate released this morning makes clear, nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks the group responsible, al-Qaeda, remains the most serious terrorist threat facing our country. Al-Qaeda has regained its strength, terrorist attacks have increased, and extremists are using the war in Iraq to attract new recruits.”

“‘This is necessary because 20 states do not fully protect the collective bargaining rights of workers and this legislation is desperately needed to ensure that the police, firefighters, correction officers, and emergency services personnel are guaranteed the right to organize and bargain collectively.”