I commend the Administration, we've been critical of the Administration for some of the things that they've done.

You said what I wanted to hear, October 15th.

I think most people in my State realize that we are not all taking bribes and we are not all lobbyists or crooks, and I agree with them.

I am confident we can address these issues before us today in the same bipartisan way that we have addressed everything from intelligence reform to the ongoing investigation of what went wrong during Hurricane Katrina.

I sit here today as one who believes that it is important that we continue to maintain and strengthen going forward our reliance on nuclear energy as part of, not all of, but part of our energy needs in this country.

I am one of those people, Mr. Secretary, who always sees the glass as half-full.

I want to talk just a moment about mercury.

The Environmental Protection Agency's budget is arguably the most important tool we have today for ensuring that the environment, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, are safe for us and for our children.

I would just remind my colleagues that there is an alternative.

I think that buttresses, actually, the capabilities of PJM and the other independent operators in the region.

Regrettably, during the conference, the Democrats in the Senate were not invited to participate.

I hope we can focus on the value that has been provided through the settlement.