I ask unanimous consent for 1 additional minute to complete my remarks. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Sullivan), and the Senator from…

As we have said, human trafficking is modern day human slavery, plain and simple.

I am proud to serve as the author and sponsor of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which is comprehensive legislation targeted at the ending--at ending the scourge of human trafficking and providing comprehensive services to the…

This disgusting trade in human flesh is happening right here in America, in every town and every city as we speak.

Nearly 150 years after the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery, this scourge is alive and well in the United States.

Interior's decisions are hurting Alaskans. You are depriving us of jobs, revenues, security and prosperity.

The actions from this Administration seem destined to shut down our Trans-Alaska pipeline, weakening our economy.

The decisions from Interior have lacked balance and, instead of recognizing the many opportunities that Alaska has with regard to resource production, you have enabled an unprecedented attack on our ability to responsibly bring these…

The President has withdrawn over 22 million more acres of Alaska from energy production just in recent weeks.

They walked away from the mess and the responsibility, and we have been trying now for decades to get them cleaned up.

I oppose this Administration's decision on ANWR. I oppose its decision offshore.

It violates the Budget Control Act ignoring the statutory caps and proposing new spending as if we had already lifted sequestration.

I want to be very clear today that it is not just me banging the table. I do not think that I am overreacting. I think I am speaking clearly and articulating concerns expressed by most Alaskans.

It creates jobs and long term economic opportunity.

And we know Neil Kornze. We have a good relationship with him.

That's never going to happen. All they're going to do is mine around you, and then the Federal Government is just out the revenue.

You're still running 180 to 270 days for an approval on BLM land verses a few weeks on private.