I believe that the Chinese and other people in that part of the world need to recognize that we do have U.S. national interests there.

This is of grave concern to the maritime industry in Connecticut, as well as Submarine Base New London, since failure to complete an SEIS would have effectively shuttered our two existing dredged material disposal sites.

there will clearly be growing international pressure and domestic pressure, including from some of us up here, for some kind of external assistance to the Free Syrian Army and to the Syrian opposition.

I think Islamabad is the first capital that will be affected by the bilateral security agreement.

A bilateral security agreement will provide the technical details associated with implementing that strategic partnership agreement.

We remain concerned about the possibility of Iran using proxy groups or individuals in the region to conduct targeted attacks in the United States.

The influence of Iran and Islamist organizations in Latin America has long been a concern, but it has taken on increased urgency.

I believe that DOD and more broadly U.S. leadership should be mindful of multiple considerations when developing standards for detainee treatment.

history will show that it is not really worth even the paper the signature is on.

Thanks to the six of you for your willingness to serve.

Dr. Hicks, in the future, should DOD strategic reviews like the QDR include separate resource-unconstrained and resource-constrained components?

Dr. Hicks, in general, do you believe DOD strategic reviews should be shaped by resource considerations?

I think we also have to acknowledge that the Budget Control Act has already put, if not devastating, very damaging, in my opinion, restraints on our military spending.

Without Congress' ability to provide suggestions through the traditional appropriations process, I fear that the Army Corps will continue to focus on dredging our large ports, and our small ports and harbors will be neglected.

the killings by the Assad Government of its own people continues, I do not know whether a document was signed by Syria to agree to the Annan plan.

I rise today to voice my support to the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act conference report which was passed by the Senate last night, and will provide a greater sense of financial security than the Federal…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 2, 2012, at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 2, 2012, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting…

in 6 or 7 minutes the Senate will begin a series of votes on the matter before us, the STOCK Act. I want to take a few moments to restate the underlying main purpose of the legislation, which is to respond to the public concern, informed…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 2, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate to conduct a hearing entitled ``Innovations in College Affordability'' on February 2, 2012, at…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on February 2, 2012, at 2:15 p.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I note the presence on the floor of the distinguished Senator from Delaware, to whom I am pleased to yield. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.

I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 1488 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, there will be 2 minutes of debate equally divided…

I respectfully oppose the amendment put in by my two friends. This would amend the Senate rules to make it out of order for the Senate to proceed to any bill or joint resolution unless the committee of jurisdiction has posted on its Web…