You also mentioned some of the discussions in the House would rectify that, would take out some of the uncertainty, correct?

Thank you, Senator Markey.

We hear the term uncertainty quite a bit up here. This is one of the problems out there with a lot of the rules and regulations.

You spent a lot of your time talking about transportation infrastructure. It could not be more timely here and now.

If you are talking right now about contracts starting to be let, could this be a problem if this changed and they were not able to use the coal ash as it is being used today?

Mr. Kezar, under the current law, the EPA does not have the authority to approve State permitting programs for coal ash disposal and the technical requirements in the EPA's rules are enforceable only through citizen suits.

That is an excellent statement. Thank you, Mr. Gray.

Mr. President, I wish to make a comment, because first, this is something beyond anyone's control. No one could have controlled this. We had four Members who were gone. It couldn't be helped. We were on business. I have 41 amendments…

Mr. President, I rise for a special request. I just returned from a military trip overseas with four other Members just a matter of minutes ago to find out that the two amendments that I was trying to get pending--and I would really settle…

Regaining the floor, I would only say to my good friend that as the second ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, I have talked about these for a long time. I tried to do them before I left for 4 days on business. Also, Senator…

As frontline watchdogs for the hardworking taxpayer, Inspectors General play a critical role in congressional oversight.

Our hope is that this sets a new precedent for how we are moving nominees.

You are the eyes and ears of the American taxpayer in a way that no one else can see.

Inspectors General do this by rooting out and reporting on waste, fraud, and mismanagement so that agencies may effectively carry out their responsibilities and fulfill their missions in service to the American people.

Good afternoon. Today we will consider the nomination of Carol Ochoa for the position of Inspector General (IG) of the General Services Administration (GSA).

if it is just about making the agency run smoother and not about protecting the taxpayer or the long-term vision of it, then we have lost focus somewhat.

We have to be better at this.

Fortunately, when the job is actually taken on, the job is lots of fun.