I thank the Senator from Mississippi for his very kind words. This has been a team effort. We have been working together. Democrats have been working with us. My colleagues from Florida, from Pennsylvania--we have all been down here…

That is correct. We actually made literally dozens of changes over the last several months to accommodate almost every single Senator that had requested a change to address some of their issues. We have made numerous changes to this bill…

They have not only expressed strong support but have cosponsored this legislation.

I would like to say a few words about Kate O'Connor, a former member of my staff who recently left to pursue another opportunity in public service. She is now working at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, where…

I would like to say a few words about a former member of my staff, Mike Fleagle, who has recently left my office and, unfortunately for Alaska, accepted a job in Colorado. Mike was one of the very first people to join my team when I took…

I won't go into it. I have seen a lot of these kinds of letters supporting legislation, but I have rarely seen a letter that is pages and pages long--steelworkers, International Union of Operating Engineers, Juneau Charter Boat Operators…

I want to say a few words--I know a number of my colleagues have--before I start my discussion on the very important Coast Guard bill we are debating on the floor. America lost a wonderful example of a strong woman, Mrs. Barbara Bush…

This document has myths versus facts on what people are saying that this bill could do, and then it gives you the facts. I am not going to read each one, but if we have to have a debate on it, I certainly will read each one. It is really…

So we need to kind of change this mindset a little bit here where if you need to cover a part of America, which is my state, then that's what you should be requesting, not bean counters are saying, 'No, we've got to keep everybody in the…

It's too costly? No, it's not. You've got a job to do to cover this part of America, right?

I think it's imperative that at the end of the day we have more assets up in the great state of Alaska.

It's good that you're advocating for the passage of the Coast Guard bill.

The Coast Guard bill being passed this week would be helpful.

I'm worried about that. And, look, we need more assets.

I'm concerned about the Coast Guard's ability to meet the needs of southeast Alaskans, especially in the nearshore and inside passage areas.

We certainly view the Coast Guard in light of what you do for Alaskans every day, which is heroic efforts, remarkable.

I would like to again get your commitment to--my view is what's going on in Alaska with the Arctic, with the fishing, with the rescues, is there is a dramatic increase in the need.

every week I come to the floor to talk about my great State and a person in my State who has made a difference in their communities and in the State and sometimes throughout the entire country. I call this person our Alaskan of the Week…

I have 14 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following…

as we all know, our country is facing a lot of challenges, particularly overseas, and a lot of them are in the news--Iran, Syria, North Korea. When you look out across the landscape of what the big, long-term, geostrategic challenges are…

I would like to get each of your commitment, during your tenure, soon into your tenure, when you get confirmed, to come on up to Alaska, hopefully with me, and you can see some of the challenges and meet some of the great veterans that I…

I would like from you is to get a commitment to come with me to Alaska soon in your tenure to meet with my veterans.

As we have a new National Defense Strategy, which I think has bipartisan support in the Congress.

Can I get your commitment that you will initiate consultation with the Alaska Native Health Board and other Tribal Health Organizations upon your confirmation on renewed negotiations for the VA Tribal Sharing Agreements to nail these down?

You need to recommend it and you need to use it in order to get that trust back.