Honest to goodness, Brian Campbell, he was holding the Cup, and there was no one around for a minute. He says, 'Hold this for a second.' So he hands it to me - one of the best moments of my life. Votes: 19
Our Founding Fathers drafted the Bill of Rights to ensure that We the People could determine how best to protect our communities. Votes: 19
Scaling back the U.S. fleet of 14 nuclear-armed submarines to eight would maintain a robust deterrent at sea while generating billions in savings and easing pressure on the Navy's shipbuilding budget. Votes: 16
Before being elected to Congress, I oversaw the Cook County Hospital System as a Cook County Commissioner for 10 years. Votes: 15
As a husband and a father of two daughters, I want young women around the globe to have the same rights and opportunities as my daughters. Votes: 12
Whether I'm reading a national publication or one of my local Chicago newspapers, I don't need to turn too many pages before I stumble upon another scandal. Not only do ethics violations deteriorate the public trust, but they also disrupt and undermine legitimate debate and policy. Votes: 11
Too often, advances in civil rights or women's rights are undermined by wrong-headed legislation or weak-kneed political leadership. Votes: 11
I introduced the Transparency in Government Act, a multi-faceted transparency bill that would bring unprecedented access and accountability to the federal government. Votes: 10
Ever since I arrived in Washington in April 2009, I have been fighting for more transparency and accountability in government. Votes: 10
As the largest contributor to the United Nations and funder of international family planning, the U.S. is in a unique position to continue to lead the global agenda and place reproductive health at its core. Votes: 10
Growing up during the Cold War, I remember the seemingly imminent threat of nuclear war. In primary school we were taught to 'duck-and-cover' for protection. But even as children hiding under wooden desks, we recognized the inadequacies of this strategy. Votes: 10
Protection of religious freedom means considering the faiths and beliefs of everyone involved. Votes: 10
Opening up the Capitol dome and giving the public a look at the inner workings of Congress - however messy they may be - certainly won't be pretty. But trust isn't earned by showing off only your Sunday best. The dirty laundry has to be aired, too. Votes: 9
We can't allow ourselves to descend down the rabbit hole of unbridled partisanship for partisan sake. Votes: 8
Anyone who has ever asked for directions knows you need two crucial pieces of information to get good results: a starting point and a destination. Votes: 7
We need to replace hyperbole with a reasonable, informed discussion about how to reinvent the federal budget with more transparency and better accountability. Votes: 7
Just as we can no longer pretend that ducking under wooden desks will keep us safe from a nuclear bomb, we must no longer pretend that a large nuclear stockpile will protect us from the most immediate security threats the United States faces. Votes: 7
Ironically enough, why I got into politics is because I came to the conclusion that if you wanted to save the world, which in my mind was through the environment, those elected officials seemed to be the ones who made a lot of the important decisions, if not the most important decisions. Votes: 5
Since 2001, I've done what every elected official should be doing in government right now. My staff and I took a look at the books, thought outside the box and proposed reforms. Votes: 5
When you have a high-volume magazine or an assault weapon, you're not hunting deer or protecting your home; you're out to hunt people. Votes: 4
Empowering women by allowing them to choose when and how many children to have is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Votes: 4
I've seen it with my own eyes: When government takes money from the poor and the middle class, everyone suffers. Votes: 4
I like to take out the recycling because I actually feel like I'm doing something. Votes: 4
I'm a longtime believer in the old adage that sunlight is the best disinfectant, particularly in politics. Votes: 4
I don't buy that there's nothing we can do to stop criminals and the mentally ill from killing if they want to. Votes: 2
I am committed to working towards a more transparent, accountable, and ethical federal government worthy of the public's trust. Votes: 2
As a policy maker, I have to stand up for the rights of all my constituents, regardless of their faith. Votes: 2
There is such a thing as commonsense middle-ground gun reform, and most gun owners support it. Votes: 2
I am committed to working towards a more transparent, accountable, and ethical federal government worthy of the publics trust. Votes: 0