I believe it extends to a couple reasons underlying that. One is the agency currently feels that it is empowered to regulate literally every nook and cranny of American life.

We're once again the world's energy superpower, and yet the Obama administration has clearly politicized and delayed the permitting of pipelines.

Our country used to be the envy of the world in terms of building infrastructure projects responsibly on time.

The irony is, is that pipelines are much more safe than delivering by rail.

I certainly look forward to working with you and the rest of the Trump administration on those kind of permitting reforms.

I appreciate your focus on modernizing the transportation system, but I really want to emphasize that it's going to be very difficult to do that without modernizing the Federal Permitting System.

I want to talk a little bit about Alaska this afternoon. Alaska is a beautiful State. Anyone who has visited knows that. Those who have watched any of the numerous television shows featuring my State know that. We have the mountains that…

Nobody seems to be intimidated by us right now.

Thank you and the ranking member for holding this hearing.

But is that answer not part of the problem that we are showing that we are not going to make it costly for them to come in and steal the files of 22 million Americans, including many intel officers?

But it does not seem to be happening. It does not seem to be happening because the attacks continue.

I believe we have to be robust in our response to this intrusion into our democracy.

We cannot lose sight of the opportunities that are there, both for the sake of promoting human development.

Absolutely, Senator. I think we are seeing them on a daily basis.

the United States needs to be able to walk and chew gum, for lack of a better term.

the U.S. Government is at its strongest when there is cooperation and coordination between the branches of government.

I think she is extremely well qualified for this position, given her vast amounts of experience.

Interference with our political processes is simply unacceptable. It is a profound threat to our way of life.

I want to thank the President and Secretary Tillerson for the great nomination, and she will do a great job for the country.

yesterday my State lost a great leader in a tragic plane crash. Mike Kelly was a former State legislator from Fairbanks. He was the patriarch of a wonderful interior Alaska family. He leaves behind a long and accomplished legacy of public…

a number of my colleagues were down on the floor a little bit ago, talking passionately about the challenges our coal miners in the United States face. I want to mention Senator Manchin from West Virginia, in particular, who is someone who…

like my friends on both sides of the aisle, I, too, come to the floor to say a few words about my friend and mentor, Senator Kelly Ayotte. I use the word ``mentor'' in actually an official capacity. When you come to the Senate--and like…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m. on Monday, December 5; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:07 p.m., adjourned until Monday, December 5, 2016, at 3 p.m.