We are focused on one thing, and that is, how do we care for the veterans.

The worst thing that would happen is if we get 18 months down the road and the veterans' groups are coming to us saying the backlog has not improved.

My hope is that as we think about not just this budget but the future and where we are going from here that relationship becomes more seamless.

I would like to thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member.

Let me also draw your attention to something, and I am running out of time here, but I was just catching up on some things, and I noticed today that first-time unemployment filings have increased.

In effect, it sounds to me like a Government liquidation, and I do not know that I would want to personally buy into that.

I think we have done some good work as we have tried to move through regulatory reform.

Neither approach will eliminate the exposure that the taxpayer faces. Would you agree with me there?

Isn't Fannie and Freddie the government version of that too big to fail?

Investing in clean energy is investing in our future.

I think the Chairman makes a good point, that's kind of an entry point for a lot of issues here.

We want to do more wind energy in Nebraska. We have a lot of wind.

It just so happens that probably every Senator could talk about this.

I have never seen so many people paid so much money to do so many stupid things.

I voted against TARP, the second tranche of TARP. Quite honestly, I do not think we should put the taxpayer in that position.

So it is critically important that we ask these tough questions.

What we are doing here is we are taking this financial reform, and we are expanding it beyond where we should be.

I rise today to speak against raising the debt ceiling. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly. No one in this body should take this decision lightly. It is a serious matter, enormously serious. Our country has debt, and it is…

I am going to be very, very proud to support you as you make your way here through the confirmation process.

I rise today to speak in support of a pending amendment. This amendment is called the Erasing Our National Debt Through Accountability and Responsibility Plan. I wish to start out today by saying I am very proud to be a cosponsor of what I…

You know I'm not questioning anybody's professionalism. I understand the issue of living away from home. All of us do that here.

Let me, if I might, Mr. Babbitt, in the short time I have, focus on four really important things.

Mr. Chairman, that is a very kind offer. I concur with so many things that you said and wanted to indicate that.

I think somebody who is making as low of a salary as some do working far smaller carriers is of concern.

I'm beginning to question whether that assumption was correct.