We do believe that if done right, flexible and, you know, including a lot of efficiencies, can be done in ways that will actually help the economy rather than hurt the economy.

You can voluntary standards or mandatory standards, but in, I think, that in many cases we're talking about a distinction without a difference that a standard is a mandate.

Thank you, Senator, for your great work in Shaheen/Portman.

I'm pleased that Ranking Member Risch and--is doing this with me.

All of our buildings more efficient is one of the things that we're talking about.

I would like to, one of the ways I would try to make this program work

every State understands that we have a skills gap in this country

Madam President, I rise today to join my colleagues in calling on the Senate to pass an extension of emergency unemployment insurance. I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that millions of hard-working Americans are now wondering how…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Luger Nomination

Madam President, I rise again today to urge a vote in the Senate to confirm Andrew Luger to be Minnesota's U.S. attorney. For 2\1/2\ years--or 890 days--Minnesota has not had a full-time U.S. attorney. During those years, from August 2011…

Yes, quality costs money.

I want to ask Dr. Yoshikawa--and anyone can weigh in--about the evidence on return on investment.

I introduced a bill last year, the Parent Education and Family Engagement in Education Act, to expand parent engagement.

But we still only cover about a quarter of the kids that qualify, and that's a shame.

I really believe in the return on investment of early childhood education, quality early childhood education.

It is a tragedy because every moment we fail to empower you with the resources in Rhode Island or California.

We know from years of empirical, longitudinal research that high-quality preschool leads to good short- and long-term educational and economic outcomes for children, particularly for those from low-income families.

Indeed, this is an exciting time for the early childhood education.