I call up my motion to instruct conferees, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Alaska [Ms. Murkowski] moves that the…

I did not support it last time because I felt it was over expensive. If there is something new that is on the table today. Obviously, we take a look at that.

the Senator from Rhode Island and I have offered a motion related to our bipartisan BLUE GLOBE Act. This is legislation that focuses on our oceans. They are a key source of food for us. They produce most of the oxygen we need to breathe…

Thank you, Madam President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.

I will look forward to following up with you to get more specificity on that.

You have record inflation going on, you have proposals that were submitted last summer, and they will be awarded later this summer.

I was pleased to see that a Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research Grant was provided to an Alaska constituent who has a pretty innovative way of recycling plastic ocean waste.

Thank you, for all the work that you did and given us the money to do this type of work.

I appreciate what you have done so far

I would like to do that. I had hoped that you might have an answer for us.

the political definitions of 'forest health' and responsible forestry practices, appears to swing on a pendulum, unfortunately dependent on the occupant of the White House.

I think it is fair to say that it has been a big year for the Agency since you testified before us last June.

I am really quite proud of what we were able to put in, the 5.4 billion over 5 years, the Forest Service receives through the Infrastructure Bill.

I think we both know that they are not enough to restore forest to a more resilient state.

I was also pleased to hear Congresswoman Murkowski advocating for IHS to receive a permanent director capable of submitting this budget proposal.

These are priorities for Alaskans up and down.

I spent a lot of time last year working to advance this to make sure that we were able to get it over the finish line.

I think we recognize these areas of importance, and again, what more we can do to incentivize financial institutions to invest in our Native communities.