However, at the same time, I strongly understand the crucial importance of this program to our defense posture.

While I still have time, as you know, I have a long-standing interest in directed energy; and I am of the opinion that in the outyears we are going to need the capabilities of directed energy, that kinetic weapons alone will never be able…

I have, obviously, a long-standing interest in our missile defense program; and I certainly am cognizant of its complexities and the many technical challenges still yet to overcome.

the limited visibility into the cost and schedule for EPAA reflect the oversight challenges with the acquisition of missile defense capabilities that we have previously reported.

What is the value of the EPAA? What other regional PAA architectures are being considered?

Why do we need regional missile defense and whom do these systems protect? And how does the EPAA contribute to homeland defense?

What did we accomplish in phase 1 of the EPAA? Are we on track to meet the ambitious goals of phase 2, 3 and 4?

The missile defenses that are deployed as part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) protect U.S. deployed forces, allies, and partners in Europe.

Madam President, Marie Colvin died last week, Wednesday, in Syria. As I speak, her body is still in Homs because the Assad regime refuses to honor the centuries-old tradition of human decency that even in war you are allowed to recover…

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Death of Marie Colvin in Syria

On behalf of a group of old friends who are stricken by her loss, I offer this in affection, in appreciation, and in memorandum. Marie's mother, Rosemarie Colvin, said of Marie: Her legacy is: be passionate and be involved in what you…

Mr. Speaker, as Rhode Islanders and men and women across America are hard at work trying to put our country back on the right track, the threat of rising gas prices raises a specter of another difficult driving season ahead. While our…

In the context of the Volcker Rule, you are still looking very, very closely at these differentials between European treatment of their sovereign debt and ultimately the way the Volcker Rule will treat it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reach Out and Read Rhode Island, a program that works with doctors to encourage young patients and their families to read. In honor of the upcoming Read Across America Day, I wish to recognize the…

I think this is an issue which the President and the administration are taking very seriously and remain fully engaged in as they monitor these events and confront the growing threat of Iran around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Congressman Ed Royce be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1912. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Rhode Island? There was no objection…

I think it is important at least to recognize that the problems in the housing sector... have implications not only for the borrower and the lender but also for the neighborhood, for the community, and, of course, for the national economy.

We have several challenges facing us economically... it would be, I think, a good investment of our time and effort to do so.