Barbara Boxer

I am very pleased the Senator took to the floor to speak to the American people about what they are going through in his State. I am not as familiar with the condition of the nuclear powerplant, so I will not go there. I trust my friend's…

The extraordinary qualifications that this nominee brings to the table.

As Mr. Bryson has said and will say again today, his top priority is job creation.

I find myself quoting Richard Nixon quite a lot on the floor of the U.S. Senate these days, as there are moves to repeal this or that part of our landmark laws.

If ever there was a time for someone who can bring us all together, this is that moment in history.

You bring a wealth of experience in both the private sector and the public sector to this very important job.

I hope you'll be treated with respect. I hope you'll get a swift confirmation.

I think that our country is really better served when the people pay attention to the work we do.

I think hearing both sides is fine. But at the end of the day, you have to perform your own inspections.

But please tell me, don't you have the ability, I will ask the Chairman, to decide for yourself if a plant is safe or not safe?

I want to compliment my colleague. I so identify with his fighting for his State.

So you don't agree with the New York Times article where Charlie Miller, the chairman of the Task Force, said that studies by safety experts in the United States had analyzed the risks of losing electricity from the grid or from onsite…

When there is a safety problem you have to listen to both sides.

But since it was raised by the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee, Senator Barrasso, I felt it was important to bring everybody up to date that a GAO investigation asked for by House Republicans basically said this was an appropriate…

If you were looking at a new proposal and it came to you on an earthquake site... I would assume you would say, take your plant somewhere else.

It doesn't make it OK.

So in light of what happened in Japan, will the NRC consider new regulations that will prepare nuclear power plants to better handle a station blackout?

Can you assure me that you will release that report to me and to Senator Inhofe?

OK. Please correct the record for me, sir.

I am urging you, do not rush these.

The emergency in Japan serves as an important wake-up call for the United States and the rest of the world.

We can't have an accident like this, is my point.

I am sorry to interrupt you. I am sorry, we understand that you care about nuclear safety, but we really ask you to put down your signs.

The actions that the Chairman took were consistent with the law, guidance and his authority.

If there is one lesson to be learned, and this is the lesson I think is the most important, we must plan for the unexpected.