Speeches

“Today, the music of the march, the harmony of the civil rights movement, the notes of Dr. King’s inspirational words must continue to inspire us to compose, as Dr. King said in his words on that August afternoon, ‘a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.’”

“We can only hope those reports prove true. We hope that progress is made toward an agreement that puts an end to Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and advances the cause of peace and security in the Middle East and around the world. Until that day comes, the Congress must continue to apply pressure. We must pursue all avenues of diplomacy and international leadership.”

“Now, before I yield to Mr. Clyburn, I want to say how honored I am that all of our colleagues are here. Our Vice Chair of the House Democratic – I mean the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Mr. Becerra and our Ranking Member, once and future Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Conyers. With that I want to thank Mr. Clyburn for his extraordinary leadership on this issue over decades and pass the microphone to him. Thank you so much.”

“We have work to do. Let’s do it instead of living in a world of illusion where we don’t – where the leadership won’t bring a real jobs bill to the floor that can be enacted into law. The Speaker has said it isn’t a measure of success as to how many bills you can enact, it’s about how much law you can repeal. Well, you haven’t even succeeded in that. You haven’t repealed anything. So, let’s get the work on the positive side to create jobs. That’s the best thing we can do for the American people and let’s do it soon. ‘Never’ doesn’t work for us.”

“So, let’s not waste the public’s time, the taxpayer’s dollar on initiatives that are going no place, political stunts, political stunts, an excuse for a legislative agenda that is not worthy of this House of Representatives, that is not deserving of the respect of the American people in the form of this legislation will not have my support. And with that, I yield back the balance of my time.”

“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.”

“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.”

“It’s my honor to be with you this morning. I thank Reverend Cortes once again for his leadership, for all of your good work, and for the hospitality extended this morning.”

“It is the same message that John F. Kennedy sent in a letter to Congress over 50 years ago. He said: ‘Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. Our requirements for world leadership, our hopes for economic growth, and the demands of citizenship itself require the maximum development of every young American’s capacity.’”

“On this statue – there are many things that are on this beautiful – isn’t it beautiful statue. It says on the side that: ‘The soul that is in me, no man can degrade.’ ‘The soul that is in me, no man can degrade.’ How perfect, how beautiful.”