I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the vote on the motion to invoke cloture occur at 1:45 p.m.; further, that the time until 1:45 p.m. be for debate only; finally, that if cloture is invoked, the McConnell amendment…

it is no surprise that Americans consistently rate jobs and the economy as top issues of concern. A recent survey found that 50 percent of voters consider themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck, and about one-third of voters say they…

And so the reality is that while they may very well have tools available to them, there are also restrictions that an official in China would look at and say, 'We have already made a decision that these are appropriate in many cases, and…

In my home State of South Dakota, CHIP serves more than 50,000 kids in a given month.

This program has enjoyed broad bipartisan support over the years, and it is critical that we work together to ensure that kids across the country continue to have access to uninterrupted coverage.

I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have at this time.

What began some 32 years ago as a program to help protect consumers from increases in telephone charges... has morphed... into something much broader and more expensive.

Are there any plans right now to open up any of the bypass spillways, the tunnels as we call them out here, to avoid or--because of the fact that there may not be the need for generation or the ability to generate through the power plant?

Sometimes one size does not fit all.

I'm just wondering if you could shed some light just for the folks in the local area about why we're having this kind of challenge to cross Corps land to get to the water which we have a state water right to obtain?

By December. And that's based upon averaging out 30,000 cubes?

The 2014 Water Resources Development Act... authorized the creation of the program in response to the 2011 flood.

So for Western Area Power Administration whose responsibility it is to maximize the output of power, as I understand it, in a cost-effective manner, for that organization this is a money-making opportunity to provide power when it is most…

The reason why we ask, and we're going to have testimony from the mayor of Pierre shortly, the City of Pierre has been undertaking a burdensome permitting process in order to obtain an easement to cross Corps land to have access to the…

So you believe the 30,000 average coming through right now will bring you back down out of the flood and normal operating ranges by what time this year?

As you know, South Dakota is experiencing a severe drought this year.

You say the Corps has essentially completed this work.

It appears as though the Corps has either made this into an extremely burdensome process as to avoid or at least to delay the implementations of these easements.