Speeches

Take Care Act Floor Remarks

Mr./Madam President: President Trump was famous for many things even before he was elected. One of those things was the catch-phrase “you’re fired,” which he popularized on his reality T.V. show, “The Apprentice.” This is a relatively commonplace phrase, but it’s not surprising that it would have so much appeal for a television audience.

On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven into the last link joining the rails of the First Continental Railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah. Made of 17 carat gold, and driven into a pre-drilled hole in the last ceremonial tie, it bore this inscription: “May God continue the unity of our Country, as this Railroad unites the two great Oceans of the world.” And indeed it did. With the joining of the Union Pacific Railroad, stretching from the Missouri River near the Iowa-Nebraska border, and the Central Pacific railroad, stretching from Sacramento, California—East met West. The Unites States became

Beijing’s Bank

Mr./Madam President, Many Americans might be surprised to learn that some of their tax dollars are going directly to Chinese companies. And that some of those dollars even go to corporations owned by the Chinese government, like Chinese banks, Chinese development agencies, and Chinese microprocessor factories.

Yemen Resolution Veto Override

Mr./Madam President, Over the past few months the members of this body and of the House of Representatives resoundingly voted in favor of S.J. Res 7, which would remove U.S. armed forces from Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. This unconstitutional, unjustified, and immoral war has repeatedly come up over the past year; and thankfully, America’s elected representatives have taken a stand on it.

U.S.-U.K. Live UC Statement

Mr./Madam President, As the deadline for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union fast approaches, there is an enormous opportunity before us – an opportunity for true free trade with the U.K. Such an agreement would provide tremendous economic and trade benefits to both our nations, and would strengthen and preserve our special relationship.

U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Resolution

Mr./Madam President, For the past three years, the world has watched the United Kingdom debate and negotiate their exit from the European Union after the historic “Brexit” vote in June of 2016. There have been multiple deals proposed since then, and now the deadline for withdrawal fast approaches this Friday.

Remarks on the Green New Deal

Mr. President, Fear has become an all-too-prevalent quality in America’s political discourse. And unfortunately, fear is unavoidable when debating the substance of the resolution before us today – climate change, socialism, and the Green New Deal.

Floor Remarks on Emergency Declaration

Mr. President, it’s significant that the very first clause of the very first section of the very first article of the Constitution consists of the words “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.” The Founding Fathers wasted no time in getting right to the heart of the matter, which is to say that the legislative powers within the federal government – that is, the power to make law within that federal system – would themselves be exercised only by that branch

Yemen Resolution Floor Remarks

Mr./Madam President, I rise to stand with Senator Sanders and Senator Murphy, as cosponsors of the legislation before us: S.J. Res 7, which would remove U.S. armed forces from Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. 56 Senators voted in favor of this resolution just a few months ago, in December of the last Congress. That vote was a victory for the Constitution and the separation of powers, to say nothing of prudence and justice.

Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights Hearing: Opening Statement

Welcome to this hearing of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights. Today we are pleased to have with us four distinguished witnesses to testify about whether the United States has a monopoly problem. We appreciate you taking the time to be with us today.