I also want to take this moment to thank my fellow Californians, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, who are not only distinguished Senators who have represented their State well, but are dear friends and dear colleagues.

I have great respect for Secretary Gates and praise him for his service to this country.

Our All-Volunteer Force has been stretched by combat that has lasted nearly a decade.

I have no doubt that his past experience and his capabilities prepare Leon Panetta to meet the major challenges before DOD.

I rise today to introduce the Deepwater Drilling Royalty Relief Prohibition Act. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to incentivize the dangerous and often dirty business of offshore drilling in deep…

I rise in support of the nomination of California Superior Court Judge Edward Davila to be a U.S. district judge in the Northern District of California. If confirmed, Judge Davila would bring a wealth of relevant experience to the district…

If confirmed, my number one job will be to ensure that America continues to have the best-trained, the best-equipped, and the strongest military in the world in order to make sure that we protect our country.

I believe it is important to have a candid, open line of communication between the Secretary and all of the Service Chiefs.

He possesses the credentials and experience to make cuts where needed and where prudent.

Leon Panetta, who has served honorably and successfully in Congress, at OMB, at the White House, and now the CIA, is prepared and uniquely qualified to be another outstanding Secretary of Defense.

Leon brings something more. He has an interesting leadership style, with a deft personal touch that really matters to the people in his charge.

as a native Californian, I come to the floor now to honor the 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan asked that I serve on the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission and I was very honored to accept. Today…

on January 25, I introduced S. 149, the FISA Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 to extend the three expiring provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act--the authority to conduct, subject to court order, so-called ``roving…

I hope that you will work with us. If in fact you support the 1996 law, as you said you do, and you are calling for regular order, that is what EPA is doing, regular order.

I don't like unfunded mandates. Senator Inhofe and I agree. We want to make it possible for you to do your work.

I want to say this. As the author of the bill to regulate, to have EPA set a standard for perchlorate, and I don't say what it should be, I just say it should be based on science.

I am not waiting around for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to act, they are not acting. We are going to do it.

You are looking at upwards of $200 billion a year. So to say that you support the Drinking Water Act and regular order is great.

I said if we don't see the national Government implementing the laws then Congress is going to take it upon itself.

I rise to introduce the Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2011, with my colleague and friend, Senator Barbara Boxer. This bill strengthens and expands legislation proposed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and…

In February 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intention to regulate perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

today I am introducing the ``Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2011,'' a bill that would ban the chemical Bisphenol A, known as BPA, from all children's feeding products. I have a deep, abiding concern regarding the presence of toxins and…

today I am introducing the FISA Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 to extend the three expiring provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act--the authority to conduct, subject to court order, so-called ``roving wiretaps,'' ``lone…

I rise on behalf of myself and Senator Boxer to introduce legislation to establish a National Heritage Area in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This legislation will create the first Heritage Area in California. I am pleased…

I rise today to introduce the California Desert Protection Act of 2011. This bill is an effort to plan for the competing uses--such as conservation, off-highway vehicle recreation, development, and military training--that are now being…