What we are seeing in the Arctic right now is absolutely unprecedented, unprecedented in our Nation's history, in the history of the globe.

We have got $8 million now in the budget requested for the study and the design of the new icebreaker.

the national security cutters are incredibly impressive.

You and I both know that $8 million does not get you an icebreaker.

Delay on this action will inevitably lead to undesirable consequences for the United States in the Arctic.

I appreciate that, but where you see new programs then coming forward with a national ocean policy--we were successful last budget cycle in making sure that funding did not move forward for the Coastal Marine Spatial Planning Initiative.

I would certainly hope that individual has been recognized for his persistence, standing up for the Constitution.

I've asked OPR to conduct this formal investigation, and I am hoping that the FBI will work with OPR.

I want to give you an opportunity to elaborate, if I may.

The Government's failure to prosecute Bill Allen sends an awful message, just an awful message to other predators.

I think we do want to make sure that we have got good design that does fit well with the needs that are out there.

So is the Justice Department paying for his attorneys' fees in this matter, to keep this from being made public?

Please, Senator, don't worry about me. I want you to take care of my spouse. I want you to take care of my children.

I appreciate, and I recognize, and I thank you for your actions in dismissing that case, and in your decision to not attempt to retry.

I appreciate the clarification that you gave on the TSA passenger security fees.

It would continue to be a maximum of $5 per trip? That would be the limit?

I recognize that the request is $860 million over the next 5 years, and how we are able to meet that schedule, given that the first year is $8 million, one-tenth, it is something that causes me a little bit of concern.

I had asked that we have a very specific hearing focused just on the Coast Guard.

I will not be constrained by the current nonsense that I hear about the budget of the United States.

I would think that $1.8 million to go to defend these attorneys, who have engaged in intentional misconduct, is just stunning to me.

We appreciate your foresight in not sending Healy down south.

Any fee, it may look like a little bit on a piece of paper, but these fees we all know add up.

knowing that there was a potential where you could see a stepped-up fee on every leg of every journey was something that is not bearable.

the Coast Guard is going to launch the largest ever deployment in the Arctic Ocean.

the fact of the matter is that it is happening, and it is happening in a way that will create more demand for Coast Guard presence.