I've come to the conclusion that military style weapons really don't have any place in our society. We ought to reinstate the assault weapons ban that served us well for 10 years from 1994 to 2004.

While expanding market access for American industry, financial markets and farmers is critical, I believe it needs to be done responsibly, accounting for the treatment and protection of workers and the environment.

We really don't have a policy [on climate change]. There's a lot of rhetoric and not a lot of action.

Reform is not for the short-winded. I'm committed to making sure the Senate is more than just a graveyard for good ideas.

The new Congress needs to move quickly to strengthen the Army and Marines - not to send more troops to Iraq - but to rebuild our capacity to meet national security threats globally.

I believe climate change is real - and I believe we have to act to protect the climate as fast as we possibly can.

Genuine dialogue, not rhetorical bomb-throwing, leads to progress.