The IDFC as provided for in Senator Inouye's bill, S.439, will simply not be able to engage in the kind of 'risky' investments and banking practices that are cause of such public concern today.

There is definitely a need in Native communities for development of financial services that could include small leveraged capital investments.

I have seen that in many parts of Indian country, the economic and social conditions are equally as dire as those found in 'lesser developed countries' around the world.

I continue to be impressed by the success of the Aegis missile defense program.

I rise today to raise awareness of a complex neurological disorder affecting an estimated 200,000 Americans. Tourette Syndrome, TS, emerges in children, as young as 5 years old. Symptoms include 'tics,' repeated involuntary noises or…

it is my understanding that the Department of Veterans Affairs has done an extremely good job when it comes to both hiring veterans, and utilizing service-disabled veterans small businesses to execute contracts.

this is the third time we find ourselves debating the same rescission amendment that sounds like good policy on first blush but in fact is not. Members need to understand that this amendment is irresponsible governing, and causes harm to…

We cannot allow new safe havens to be created elsewhere as we tighten the stranglehold on al Qaeda's senior leadership in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region.

We must maintain current levels of predictability while making plans to increase it.

I realize that, in the bureaucratic discipline, all of you are called upon to tell us that everything is fine, that we have all the equipment we need and the budget is fine.

We are committed to minimizing turbulence to Soldiers and their Families while providing the most effective and efficient trained and ready units.

in the name of reducing our national debt, this amendment offered by the Senator from Oklahoma seeks to freeze discretionary spending at fiscal year 2008 levels for the next 10 years. While I understand and support the need to restrain…

the Senator from Arkansas has made a good-faith effort to address many of flaws in the Sessions amendment. First, this amendment would require savings from discretionary spending, mandatory taxes and revenues. Second, it wisely eliminates…

I wish to congratulate the nominees appearing before the Committee today and to thank them for their commitment to public service.

The role of the Coast Guard in protecting national security is on par with the other services.

I have no doubt that Admiral Papp will fulfill his duties admirably, if confirmed.

the amendment offered by the Senator from South Carolina is, simply stated, a misguided attempt which would turn over the power of the purse to the executive branch. It will not save a penny toward the deficit. It will allow unelected…

it seems clear to me that the Commission needs to do more to protect innocent consumers.

However, size alone should not be the basis for approving or disapproving mergers.

As Senator Inouye pointed out, size cannot be the determining factor in an antitrust evaluation.

The question before us is whether, even with the commitments that have been made, this is a good deal for consumers.

The key factor is how the merger will impact the quality and affordability of services available to consumers and whether the merger will be in the public interest.

There is no question that a proposed merger between Comcast, the Nation's largest video programming distributor, which also happens to be the Nation's largest residential broadband provider, and NBC Universal, the fourth-largest media and…

Secretary Sebelius, last October Dr. Mary Wakefield, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, visited Hawaii and I would like to thank you for your support of her trip.

Do you think that nurses are adequately prepared and trained to serve men and women with problems that didn't exist during my time?