Mr. Chairman, thank you.

One of the critics, a Mr. Blair, said one of the real problems here... we've not utilized this nuclear command.

first, let me thank my colleagues Senator Enzi, Senator Alexander, and Senator Heitkamp for their work on this important issue. Senator Alexander is right about the Federal ban on Internet access taxes. I also want our colleagues to know…

Arguably, the most awesome responsibility of the commander in chief, the President of the United States, is a decision of nuclear launch.

the age of so many of our weapons systems, the age of our planes. They're not getting younger.

Sequester is self-inflicted damage. This is not something that somebody is doing to us. This is what we're doing to ourselves.

I want change. I want action.

The obvious question is: Why was there a problem at this high level of responsibility within the Air Force?

we're going to have to continue, aren't we, in the modernization of our planes, our Marine needs, our Army needs, our Navy needs?

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) and the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Manchin ) are necessarily absent. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber desiring to vote? The result was…

The subcommittee meets this morning to receive testimony on the fiscal year 2014 budget request for the U.S. Air Force.

It would be a serious mistake to allow budget pressures to squander or in any way endanger them.

You've got to get to the bottom of it. And you've got to prevent it as much as you can. And you've got to punish people who do it.

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Begich) are necessarily absent.

I think that is an important point. First of all, it is very important it is in their consciousness.

I announce that the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Begich) and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) are necessarily absent.

So if this literally does not impact 99.8 percent of agricultural production or maybe...

Parliamentary inquiry: I believe the order suggests that the time is equally divided between the opponents and proponents, and the opponents have the first 10 minutes and the proponents the final 10 minutes. So I would ask the Chair to…

I thank my friend and colleague from Oregon for coming to the floor and stating his position on the bill. For those who follow the Senate, we are about to see something that is historic, precedent setting, and nothing short of remarkable…

It reminds me of when you are on an airplane and the flight attendant says as you are about to land: Let me be the first to welcome you.

The United States stood up and actually spoke in favor of her being allowed to continue to testify, and that is important.

I am here today in enthusiastic support of your nomination.

It was the United States that would not let the dream of an international institution of this type die.

We continue to be the major bilateral donor in Lesotho and our focus in working with the Government of Lesotho is on the building of a democratic, accountable government, which has certainly not been China's focus in Lesotho.

The United States and Canada have a unique, positive, strong relationship forged by geography, shared values, and common interests.