Speeches

Floor Remarks on Lee Amendment #3856

Apr 28, 2016

But ask anyone who has ever called, written, or emailed their member of Congress what happens next: blame is shifted; fingers are pointed; scapegoats of every variety imaginable are brought forth to defend those who are charged with making the laws from the consequences of their handiwork. This is the very definition of unaccountability, and it pervades the culture of Washington, D.C., because Congress has allowed it to infect our laws and our institutions.

Remarks on Separation of Powers Restoration Act: Ending Chevron Deference

Mar 17, 2016

"Chevron deference is hardly the only problem with the administrative state, nor is it the biggest. But it may be the one with the clearest and most obvious fix."

Floor Remarks on the Nomination of Dr. John King

Mar 14, 2016

Mr. President, last week the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee voted to advance President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Dr. John King. Tonight the nomination is set to come before the Senate not for a robust debate, but for a hasty vote. And by all accounts, confirmation is expected. I rise today to oppose the nomination of Dr. King, and to urge my colleagues to join me in voting against his confirmation as Secretary of Education.

The people should determine what kind of Supreme Court they wish to have

Mar 10, 2016

Mr.President, the opening words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution are familiar to us all – “We the People...” But what exactly do they mean? It was “the People” who established the United States Senate in Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution.

Floor Remarks on the Senate’s “Advice and Consent”

Feb 24, 2016

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was an extraordinary man whose contributions to this country and its people – whom he faithfully served from the bench – are so prodigious that it will take generations for us to fully comprehend our debt to him.