This legislation attempts to solve a problem that doesn't exist. First, there is no evidence that the exemption has increased health insurance prices or profits or that it has contributed to higher market concentration. Second, the effort…

Mr. President, today I am introducing the Support Renewable Energy Act of 2010 with my colleague, Senator Ensign. This bill would modify the Renewable Electricity Standard currently drafted in the American Clean Energy Leadership Act to…

I have authored a bill that now has 63 cosponsors and which requires more strategic attention and resources to help address this violence.

A stronger State Department is vital to our Nation's security, as is expanding and strengthening our work in such areas as economic development, good governance, respect for human rights, respecting the rule of law, and conflict resolution.

defeating al-Qaeda and dealing with the broader problem of violent extremism requires that we use all of the tools at our disposal

Frankly, my goal is to be effective in what we spend so that it actually assists those Cubans who are fighting for freedom.

I have concerns about supplemental spending bills, given that they fall outside of the normal budget process.

While Christmas Day attacker Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's actions were clearly more influenced by conditions and actors in Yemen...

It needs to be restructured in such a way that it is completely independent from the Executive, and it needs to have its own source of funding.

Consultation with the political parties in an atmosphere of transparency and an invitation for civil society and independent electoral observers to be part of the process would also improve the transparency of the process.

I think the Nigerian leadership has acted thoughtfully, responsibly, and along democratic lines in resolving the current crisis.

There does need to be, in my view, a root and branch reorganization of INEC from the top.

It is always a sad situation when military have to be brought out to undertake what should, in fact, be police operations.

I'm concerned that abuses and discriminatory policies by Nigeria's security forces, particularly against Muslim communities, could also feed into extremism.

What is needed for now, I believe, is strong--strong influence to be more or less, literally, I mean, force people to start realizing that unless you start changing, there's no possibility for you to get a law enforcement that will be able…

I have been working on the issue of our relationship with Nigeria since 1993, including the days of Sunni Abacha and sometimes we've had to put enormous pressure, sometimes we've been able to reach out.

I will work to see that these recommendations are seriously considered.

The hearing will come to order and on behalf of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on African Affairs, I welcome all of you to this hearing entitled 'Examining the U.S.-Nigeria Relationship in a Time of Transition.'