Read MoreSchumer was a strong and wonderful partner to Senator Feinstein, read MoreSchumer fought valiantly against illness in the final chapters of Read MoreSchumer life, a life so well lived.

Chuck Schumer

In the days to come, we will continue working and communicating with Senator Lujań's staff about Senator Lujań recovery process.

I think we have shown that we've gotten a lot done, i spent the last week in New York. And you know, obviously, we haven't gotten everything everyone wants done, but people are quite pleased and impressed with what we've gotten done.

People knew Joe Manchin positions, joe Manchin speaks to the press regularly, speaks to The White House regularly. Joe Manchin talked to Pelosi regularly. People knew Joe Manchin positions.

When it comes to something as crucial as voting rights, can't just push it off the table, senators are there to vote. We had to vote. And I think it was the right decision. And it had virtually, it had broad, wide, and deep support in our caucus.

I am focused on 2022, getting things done, and winning the election on 2022, i'm not at all focused on 2024 right now, and neither should anyone else be. That's just how you lose in 2022.

I listened very carefully.

Joe Biden set the agenda, and I am working to pursue that agenda, OK ? And I agree with it.

There's a lot that's happened.

It's the speech I gave many times before and many times after.

We've got to move quickly. We've got to be thorough, but we've got to move very quickly, as quickly as we can.

President Biden nominee will receive a prompt hearing in the The Senate Judiciary Committee, and will be considered and confirmed by the full United States Senate with all deliberate speed.

The Senate will have a fair process that moves quickly so we can confirm President Biden’s nominee to fill Justice Breyer’s seat as soon as possible.

We lost the vote. But to have not voted would have been a far greater loss, we know history is on the side of voting rights, and we know that forcing leaders to take stands will ultimately move the ball forward.

We will all confront a critical question: Shall members of this chamber do what is necessary to pass these bills? it is my hope that courage awakens within the heart of our Republican colleagues before the day is out. But if the Senate cannot protect the right to vote… under the existing rules, then the Senate rules must be reformed.

As we debate these measures, the Senate will confront the critical question: Shall the members of this chamber do what is necessary to pass these bills and bring them closer to the president's desk? today we have just taken the first steps that will put everyone, everyone on the record.

As we debate this issue, so critical to the wellspring of our democracy, we will all confront the critical question : Shall members of this chamber do what is necessary to pass these bills and move them to the President's desk ? It's my hope that courage awakens within the heart of our Republican colleagues before the day is out.

Our proposal for a talking filibuster on these pieces of legislation would be the first step towards passing voting rights, restoring this body and breaking the gridlock that we now face on this vital issue.

Senate Democrats are under no illusion that we face difficult odds, especially when virtually every Senate Republican is staunchly against legislation protecting the right to vote, but I want to be clear : when this chamber confronts a question this important, one so vital to our country, so vital to our ideals, so vital to the future of our democracy, you don't slide it off the table and say, never mind.

Just a few days removed from what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 93rd birthday, the Senate has begun the debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act for the first time in this Congress.

We must consider and vote on the rule changes that are appropriate and necessary to restore the Senate, and make voting legislation possible.