When the public's right to know is threatened, all other public rights are threatened.

If you have got high-ranking officials reaching down five levels in the bureaucracy to drag an analyst up to their office to berate them and threaten their jobs because they don't like the conclusions about an intelligence matter, that, in my view, is dangerous.

Entrenched bureaucracies are always opposed to fundamental changes.

Over my 24 years in the Senate, Jim, I've never voted against anyone because of their substantive views.

Firefighters are indispensable foot soldiers here at home.

Our seniors have worked long and hard to better the economy, raise families and serve their communities. They deserve to live independent and active lives in their golden years.

We owe it to each other - and to our children and grandchildren - to leave our planet in a better state than when we found it.