"I love challenges."
"The Social Security trust fund is in pretty good shape today and we should not embark upon risky, dangerous schemes which will, in fact, undermine Social Security, such as privatization."
"Privatizing Social Security will take dollars out of young folks' pockets."
"The Senate is a remarkable institution. It is unique. There is no other body, no other political body, no other democratic legislature in the world quite like the U.S. Senate."
"It is pretty hard to find the right result to a controversial issue."
"I think I can speak for every Senator, saying that he or she ran for the Senate because we want to help make this a better place; that is, we want to help our States and help America."
"Global overcapacity in steel production can no longer be ignored. Foreign governments' intervention in steel markets has had a devastating impact on the U.S. industry."
"Now is not the time to open the border to receive Canadian beef down to the United States."
"The administration's attempt to keep us from selling agricultural products to Cuba is an outrage. Cuba is not a threat. That is why we must do more to open Cuba - not less."
"There are significant human rights abuses in China. In some areas, the situation is worse today than in the past. In other areas, there have been improvements. We will recognize the latter, and be critical of the former."
"I'm inclined to vote for Roberts unless something else comes up. It's a close call."
"If I were the president, I would be very concerned... and I would do what was reasonably necessary to find a way to get my people confirmed."
"In this ever-changing world, it's more important than ever that our top-notch military continues to receive the resources needed to serve and protect our country."
"Judge Roberts has assured me personally that he has a healthy respect for precedent and the hard-won rights of Americans."
"The recovery of the Gulf Coast region will take years to complete."
"You're entitled to Medicaid regardless of your income. Don't worry about your health care."
"I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
"My door is open."
"Sequestration is leverage that should not be given up easily."
"Tax reform is a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
"I believe strongly that the opportunity is here for us in America to finally have a healthcare system that we can really be proud of. But it's got to be one where everybody is involved. Everybody: consumers, employers, providers, health-insurance companies, everybody."
"I know the problem of obesity. I got to tell you, I think that's tepid. I just don't think the bully pulpit is going to be enough to sufficiently fight obesity. We're going to have to have incentives in here."
"Fundamentally, legislation that is historic, that is comprehensive, that has a large number of senators supporting it is more durable."
"U.S. agricultural products, including safe, high-quality Montana beef, face unscientific trade restrictions in many important markets."
"Every American has a right to affordable, high-quality health care."
