Many of the businesses that I talk to in North Dakota who have, over the years, offered great plans, plan on sticking with the great plans that they have.

America is the country it is today because we've been willing to invest in the foundations for growth, innovation and commerce.

The reason American businesses can operate anywhere, including in rural areas, is because our past investments in transportation infrastructure allow them to get their products to markets around the world.

There is too much one-size-fits-all in the housing market, and that is even more discouraging.

It is absolutely critical that we maintain a role for independent community banks and credit unions.

Just a quick comment, and not to belabor this point, but I do want to kind of go on record saying we need to be careful with one-size-fits-all.

We are setting policies in Washington, DC, that are consolidating more and more assets into the larger banks.

You have to take a risk-based and specific targeted approach to address the issues that are relevant.

We cannot move forward, in part because of the impediments and because of the requirements.

This is exactly the point. We need these kinds of projects. Work with us as States to empower that kind of development, not shut it off. The Senator is exactly right.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Cloture Motion Under the previous order and pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the…

Again, my colleague makes a great point and a factual point; that is, what we are seeing happening as a result of the redtape and the regulations the administration is continuing to put forward and is proposing again to add to in its most…

I would respond to my colleague, that is exactly what I am saying. Here we are, a major coal-producing State. We are one of 14 States that meet all ambient air quality requirements. We are No. 1 in surface reclamation, land…

I am pleased to join my distinguished colleague from West Virginia in this discussion of an energy source that is vital to our Nation, and that is coal. North Dakota, like the great State of West Virginia, is a major coal-producing State…

I would like to thank my distinguished colleague not only for his work on energy--he is already recognized as an energy leader in this body--but also most recently for student loans. He has taken a bipartisan lead on student loans that I…

I would say to my distinguished colleague, I have been to West Virginia. It is an absolutely beautiful State. It is breathtaking, with its hills and valleys and bridges over rivers. It is just a gorgeous, beautiful State. As my…

I would say to my colleague, he is exactly right. He hit the nail on the head. We are talking about clean coal technology and encouraging development in clean coal technology. But to do it, we have to have regulations that are attainable…

the development of oil and gas is important for our energy security and high standard of living, not just in North Dakota, but the entire Nation.