"We have 27 legislative days until adjournment"

More great FMA testimony, this time from Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (thanks to Brad for this):

"Mr. President, after today, we have 27 legislative days until adjournment – 27 legislative days to deal with the most pressing issues facing this country. We should be passing the Port Security bill and the Rail Security bill, both of which were approved by the Commerce Committee unanimously in April.  We should be passing the Transit Security bill, which was approved by the Banking Committee in May.  We should be passing the Nuclear Plant Security bill, the Chemical Plant Security bill, and the First Responders bill, all of which were approved by the Environment and Public Works Committee last year.  We could be working on those bills to improve our safety instead of worrying about two people of the same gender who have decided to care about each other. So there you have it.  In the face of all this, what does this Administration want us to do?  A constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage – a constitutional amendment that denies millions of Americans equal rights because, even if it does not say so explicitly, it will mean those in domestic partnerships or civil unions will not get equal rights or equal responsibilities....One of my colleagues says that marriage is under assault from gay relationships.  Well I must tell you straight from my heart – not one married couple has ever come up to me and said their marriage was under assault because two people of the same gender down the street care about each other.  If we were truly concerned about strengthening marriages and strengthening families in this country, we would pass an increase in the minimum wage.  We would pass a bill to make sure people had the same health insurance that members of Congress have.  We would pass a bill to make sure that all children have a high quality education.  And instead of freezing the number of kids in after school programs, we would allow them to partake in programs that keep them safe until mom or dad comes home from work....It truly is a disgrace on the Senate to play politics with the Constitution, and I hope and pray that the American people see this for what it is. Mr. President, we are all God’s children."