I think supremely well qualified to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at this critical point in its history and our nation's.

I ask unanimous consent that the period for debate only on S. 3240 be extended until 5:30 p.m., and that the majority leader be recognized at that time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that Tejal Shah, a fellow in Senator Mark Udall's office, be granted floor privileges for the duration of the Senate's session this week on June 13 and June 14, 2012. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is…

commonly in advocating or introducing bills, Senators will have photographs or digital aids, and I thought about doing that today, but then realized that the photographs appropriate for this bill are of mangled, cruelly torn animals that…

I am very, very honored today to introduce Allison Macfarlane, President Obama's nominee to be a Commissioner, in fact, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This issue is extraordinarily important to Connecticut because of our Connecticut Yankee and our Millstone plants.

Dr. Macfarlane is a native of Connecticut; she was born in Hartford, raised in Avon, went to Avon High School.

I am very proud to introduce her to this Committee and to support her for this profoundly important position.

I hope that the administration will help persuade the House to retain those measures in whatever emerges from the House, which I hope will be soon.

I would appreciate any that you can.

I consider each of these nominees extraordinarily well qualified.

Nothing is more important than the face and voice of justice in the person of district court judges and other nominees whom we have today.

first, let me join so many of my colleagues in thanking the Senator from Maryland for being such a steadfast and strong champion and a model for me as a newcomer of leadership in the Senate. I thank all the women who have spoken today…

I think it is so important to prevent... the kinds of incidents that are so troubling when they reflect racial and religious tensions.

My hope is that it will be truly a bipartisan process for you and for all the nominees to these very, very profoundly significant positions.

Thank you, Mr. Berg, and congratulations to the graduates.

Thank you, Senator Lee, for your comments and your observations.

I think that fidelity to the rule of law is the hallmark of a good judge.

Well, I think that this position is one of profound importance, although perhaps little understood by the general public.

I regard it as a privilege and an honor to preside at a hearing that has such a consequential role in our justice system.

Each of you knows, as I do, that the role of a district court judge is essentially to follow the law as it has been adopted by the legislature and interpreted by a court that generally is above you or has ruled before you.

I am very pleased to call this hearing to order and to welcome Senators Levin and Boxer to introduce nominees from their States.

I think that when we look at the entire country, it is really being aware of what is happening in those areas...

I was unavoidably absent during today's votes on the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act due to my daughter's high school graduation. I supported this bipartisan legislation earlier this year when it was before the…