“Could you say ‘senator’ instead of ‘ma’am? It’s just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I’d appreciate it”

Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has a much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress, or any President.

The day you realize you’re a grownup is the day you realize that you have to do something. When we’re kids, we don’t have to do anything. Then all of a sudden you realize, if I want this to be better, I’ve got to do something.

I would love to see a march on Washington that says ‘Save our Social Security’

There’s a huge difference in the attitude of the people of the United States of America toward women in politics. It has taken an enormous turn toward equality.

It is in Saudi Arabia’s best interest to allow women to fully participate in its society, and this includes the right to vote and run for office.

The fact of the matter is actions speak louder than words.

Since 1980, we’ve used reconciliation 22 times, and out of those times, Republicans used it 16 times. So, earth to my Republican friends, you can have your option but you cannot change these facts. They’re in the Congressional Record

More than anything, I think as our country matures, we recognize that women deserve to be treated with respect and dignity

You stand up to bullies. Don’t shrink back. You fight back with all your strength, and the press is going to have to do it, politicians are going to have to do it, all of us are going to have to do it.

The American people are beginning to see the Republicans’ willingness to trample over 200 years of history, to step on the minority, to push everybody out of the way because they want 100 percent. It’s rubbing the American people the wrong way. One-party rule is not good.

I’m not leaving the fight just because I decided not to run. I’m going to expand my political action committee and volunteer for it. I’m going to do lots of other things where I will have a voice. So I’m not leaving the fight.

In America, the system itself of democracy is being threatened.

I was a stock broker once. I think there is an absolute place for market investments. But they should never be the basis of one’s retirement. They should be an additional piece on top of a basic, secure, guaranteed retirement benefit.

The difference between the very wealthy and the working poor has grown. We raise that minimum wage and we move forward with the vision of this president that we have, which is everyone pays their fair share.

Our message will be that we’re going to make federal government buildings a model – an energy-efficient model – and also start matching grants for cities and counties so that they can also do the same with their government buildings.

Let me tell you, life is interesting regardless of when you are in the fight.

Senator, we are groping for understanding, the knowledge you assume I possess doesn’t exist’.

Senator, if I seem clear to you, you must have misunderstood me’.

Unfortunately, Senator, nobody knows where the next innovative idea is coming from.

The way I see it, I’m not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator. I’m going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota.

In my first week as a U.S. senator, I had the privilege of participating in the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

Minnesota has a proud tradition of having two Senators on the Ag committee – a tradition I’d like very much to continue.

Ironically, the section on women’s rights was added by a senator from Virginia who opposed the whole thing and was said to be sure that if he stuck something about womens’ rights into it, it would never pass.

Ted Kennedy’s achievements as a senator have towered over his time, changing the lives of far more Americans than remember the name Mary Jo Kopechne.