last Friday, China announced its decision to implement a national cap-and-trade program beginning in 2017. It will cover the majority of China's greenhouse gas emissions, including those from power generation, iron and steel production…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Climate Change and Economic Growth

this agreement may create the space for us to have a--more than a conversation, but one that would lead to some kind of a change in behavior on the part of these state actors.

I realize that it is very challenging to determine the causal effect of exposure to a substance and subsequent health of concerns.

Considering that this is another group that is seeking a certain kind of status as atomic veterans, then I would be interested to know how many people you have already assessed as having shown that connection.

Because we know that exposure to the environment, especially after 9/11 and what happened to the 9/11 first responders, all kinds of health issues that arose.

It seems as though if there is no presumption, then it is a pretty high burden for the individual veteran to make the connection claim.

Whatever it is, that we come to some kind of understanding so that state actors do not engage in manipulation and destruction of data.

we are on the eve of yet another government shutdown, yet another manufactured crisis. Two years ago it was over defunding the Affordable Care Act. Today Republicans introduced a continuing resolution that holds our country hostage over…

I rise today to speak about yet another Republican attempt to limit women's health care choices. Congress should be focused on funding the government and keeping our country open for business. Instead, we are wasting our limited…

I've also recently met with businessmen from the CNMI, who discussed concerns with Chinese economic expansion in their territory.

Last year I had the opportunity to speak with Secretary Carter, prior to his confirmation, about my concerns regarding our compacts of free association with the freely associated states (FAS) of the Federated States of Micronesia, the…

In July I introduced a bipartisan bill that would include the Philippines in the group of allied nations eligible for expedited consideration provided by law of foreign military sales.

I do share the concern that Admiral Harris raised that we are at a disadvantage by not being signatories to the Law of the Sea.

Has the Department given any consideration to what losing the support of Palau or the other freely associated states would mean for the security of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, or Hawaii?

Would the Department consider economic expansion to CNMI a threat to security in the Pacific region?

Does the Department share my concerns, which echo those of President Remengesau, about China's expansion into this region?

We would be concerned if the Russians used this infrastructure to further militarize or to bolster their military strength in the region.