today I rise to introduce legislation to restore the 80 percent tax deduction for business meals and entertainment expenses. By way of background, business meals previously were fully deductible. In 1986, the Congress reduced the allowable…

after 6\1/2\ months it appears the Congress may finally be able to finish the fiscal year 2011 appropriations process. Earlier today the House passed a Department of Defense Appropriations bill which includes an extension of the current…

our Nation continues to struggle out of the economic downturn that swept across the country a few years ago, and today, I am pleased that the Senate is considering S. 493, the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research…

I thank my subcommittee chairman for highlighting this important provision. Ensuring that the SAFER grants are available to retain and/or rehire firefighters and waiving match requirements will provide communities the assistance they need…

My understanding is that a gap in adequate coverage is almost assured under current funding levels.

Recently, Senator Inouye reintroduced legislation to strengthen Federal consumer product safety programs and activities with respect to commercially marketed seafood.

I wish to thank you and the Department for maintaining the Hawaii office to manage the energy programs...

it is Native groups' common trust relationship with the United States that allow[s] the Congress to legislate unique benefits and treatment for the Native Americans

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this oversight hearing on the Small Business Administration's Native 8(a) program.

since 1974, there has been a law on our books that does exactly what this amendment proposes to do. It does so without taking away the checks and balances we have in the government. It also does so in a proper way. It goes through the…

my amendment addresses the concerns raised by the Coburn amendment, but it does so by using existing authorities established by the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. My amendment accomplishes the same objectives, but it maintains the proper…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll. The result was announced--yeas 7, nays 93, as follows: [Rollcall…

directing [the] purchasing power [of the Federal Government] to accomplish social goals such as assisting disadvantaged members of society is well established

unfortunately, . this public policy goal has not been achieved with respect to the participation of businesses owned by [N]ative Americans

I think it is about time we recognize their value, and I think if a man gets two stars for commanding 10,000 troops, I think a nurse should get two stars for commanding 18,000 troops.

Native Nations and communities have always faced a communications divide.

Finally, over the last several decades we adopted a policy of recognizing and supporting the rights of this nation's first Americans: Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians, and we must continue our resolve to uphold this…

In other words, what we take for granted, the other Americans, are not available to you at this moment.

I thank you very much for your testimony, and I realize because of death in your family you will have to rush off.

As a nation we have changed courses many times in the policies governing our dealings with Native Americans; and Native People, history shows, have suffered greatly.

Telecommunications is an important investment we can make in the future.

Thank you very much, Chief Blackwell.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Regretfully, I must advise all of you that there's a roll call ending at this moment so I will call this hearing to a recess, but I'll be back in about 10 minutes.

And, thank you very much, Madam President.