I come from the small business world. At the young age of 14 I started my first business. I don't hear the business community in my State asking me to crash the economy and keep the government shut down because it has no impact. When we…

At the end of the day we've got to solve these problems and not do it on 3-week or 6-week intervals.

Crisis management from any administration's standpoint--and I've run businesses, I have been a mayor--is the worst type of policy because you will miss things.

We cannot recreate history here.

We did that starting in July on the Continuing Resolution.

We're picking winners and losers when what we should be doing is looking in the totality of government.

It seems like this would be a simple thing for us to do.

But remember, when we do those appropriation bills actually the government is open.

I want to not put you in--I'm happy to answer these questions because I think it's a good question, because the assumption is by those bills coming over magic happens, people get funded.

The hearing record will remain open until 5 p.m. tomorrow, October 9, for the submission of statements and questions for the record.

I know the Senator came to Alaska a few months ago and had an opportunity to see some of the great ability of our energy companies and what we are trying to do. Today I got an important announcement from Exxon and ConocoPhillips about…

Isn't it odd they pass ``let's pay everybody,'' 435 to 0, they pass it but they only want to have some of them come back to work? If you are a fiscal conservative--I think I am; we are from Montana, Alaska, you know, conservative States--I…

I guess I have one more. The Senator said something I thought was very interesting on the budget deficit. The Senator is older than I am. I came here 2 years after the Senator. When we came in, we dealt with the debt ceiling, which is…

And they have passed their budget too. So we have two budgets ready to go to conference; is that fair?

I appreciate the comments, and I thank the Senator for answering these questions. I think it is important again to point out that budget was passed back in April-May. We did ours, and they did theirs. We have tried 18 times to bring the…

Could the Senator from Montana stay for a second so I can ask for a clarification of one of his beginning statements?

if the Senator will stay on the floor for a moment, one of the bills mentioned by the Senator from Illinois was the helium bill. Within that there is an important Alaska priority. I know my colleagues worked with the Senator--important to…

I think this is more of a question/comment. One of the statements at the end talked about how this was held up. We passed a bill out of here--a continuing resolution--in which we cut, on an annualized basis, $70 billion. We didn't…

Judges must uphold and interpret the law, resolve disputes equitably, and protect the rights and liberties of our citizens.

Not a lot of stuff added on later that wasn't necessary. We would debate that later but----

It creates quality candidates versus political candidates. I think it makes our judicial system better because of that.

If confirmed, I trust you will fulfill these responsibilities with respect, character and deference befitting the Court.

One thing I will try to do is I am going to make this painless because I believe you are highly qualified.

I thank my good friend for allowing me to take a few minutes and ask a couple of points. Mr. President, I am here to say that is what this debate is about, a simple question, allowing a vote on the House side. If they do not have the…

I want to follow up briefly first on the comments of Senator Sanders. We have a continuing resolution over there. The annualized cut is $70 billion. Usually when you compromise, one side gives a little, the other side gives a little. On…