Mike Crapo

I have been arguing that we need to unify our regulatory system.

I think we need to get very aggressive at finding a path forward.

I guess the question I have to you is how will you resolve the issues in terms of managing the spent nuclear fuel at Idaho and the Federal Government's obligation to take possession of that fuel?

I hope that as we move forward and get specifics on the budget proposals, we can have a much more full explanation of the support for this kind of R&D.

I am very discouraged by the decision that has been made by the administration with regard to Yucca Mountain.

I strongly support the comments that have been made by my colleague, Senator Gregg, and by my colleague, Senator Murray.

Our financial markets and the economic crisis that we face today represent a very serious and a real threat.

Senator Lincoln makes a good point. While I support the Finance Committee's goal of encouraging accountability and incentivizing the collection of Medicare bad debt by skilled nursing facilities, I do see the need to differentiate between…

So the fact that the fraud occurred in an arena in which derivatives were being utilized does not mean that the derivatives caused the fraud or that there was anything with regard to derivatives regulations that would have changed it, am I…

We had the same point under Enron, if I remember correctly. When we ultimately got into the bottom of it, it was not even the derivatives which were at issue, although they were blamed.

I commend President Bush on his recent trip to Canada and efforts to build on our strong relations with our neighbor to the north. Canada is our Nation's largest trading partner and one of our closest allies, and this relationship must…

I do want to pose one question for you to consider either during your testimony or perhaps in follow up if it does not come up there.

I encourage us to support the efforts to make certain these things will move forward and particularly when we bring this amendment that we were not allowed to bring this morning, we encourage the entire Senate to support it to help make…

My biggest concern right now is our budget deficit and the trade deficits that we are facing

Zero were filibustered this year, and this year four have been successfully filibustered, and what is it, five, six, or seven more are scheduled to be filibustered?

Isn't it also true that out of the last 11 Presidents--and I think we used 11 Presidents because it was 1949 when the filibuster became possible--not one of their nominees, until today, until this Congress, not one of the President's…

It is my understanding that 2,300 nominations have come to the floor since the filibuster was possible.

We want to see the consumer confidence in the entire industry following these things.

I appreciated Senator Dodd's line of questioning. It is generally the line I wanted to pursue.

Consumer confidence has been raised by a number of people and, clearly, that is the end result that we want to achieve here.

We want to make sure that we have the correct statutory and regulatory systems and procedures in place.

I believe what I said was that, as I had been here over 10 years, we debated that proposal several times and every time it has been debated it has been attacked as a tax cut for the wealthy. I can tell you from my own personal experience…

I also appreciate Senator Sarbanes and the other Senators in the Chamber who are so involved in working on this critical issue. Our water infrastructure needs in this Nation are crying out for attention. This is one of those areas we have…

The goals of this Rule, and of the legislation underlying it, are very worthwhile and laudable, which we should be working expeditiously to achieve.

I share the concerns that you have raised and hope that message is getting through.