I just want to put on the record I am constantly looking at ways to improve the TWIC card process.

I happen to believe that personnel are key to terrorist prevention or terrorist acts prevention, in addition to technology.

This port has really been the basis for some 287,000 direct and indirect jobs, generating $11 billion in economic impact.

Basically January to April.

We know we cannot recover on the 117,000.

And you said they are historic numbers?

But that number alone, the African American number for most of the last year seems like it has been in the 14 to 15 range?

the private sector number is up 154,000.

I guess in terms of the private-sector number, which I think is a pretty important number for us to watch.

And I also mentioned a few other categories.

I voted against the debt deal because I could not, in good conscience, support the use of a manufactured crisis to implement ideologically based policies that will further threaten our nation's economic growth and job creation potential.

We really need really significantly higher job growth than we have had to make a dent.

Instead of appealing to America's greatest aspirations, hopes, and dreams, there are those who are appealing to our basest character, using fear and envy and greed to prey upon those we are supposed to lead. We can no longer sow the seeds…

For too long, insurance companies in many States have increased health insurance premiums with little oversight, transparency, or public accountability.

Let me give you an example of why the review of rate filings is not sufficient, and why I believe authority to block or modify is necessary.

The health reform law actually takes critical first steps to help control premium increases and ensures that companies spend more on medical care, not profits.

Health insurance premiums have doubled, on average, over the last 10 years, much faster than wages and inflation, putting coverage out of reach for millions of Americans.

Starting in September of this year, 2011, HHS is requiring that all non-grandfathered insurers seeking rate increases of 10 percent or more in the individual and small group markets publicly disclose the proposed increases and their…