The NFIP is $18 billion in debt, not counting the 2011 storms or whatever borrowing it might have.

I'm pleased to convene this hearing to investigate the Federal Government's responsibilities in terms of dealing with long-term planning to mitigate the economic impact of severe weather events.

Certainly, if nations around the world choose to take GHG mitigation actions and reduce those emissions, that would certainly lower the projected trend from that cause.

So as we try to envision a more challenging world, in terms of risk exposure, has the GAO taken a look at whether or not we are adjusting our economic models and projections, in terms of premiums collected, monies set aside, or are we just…

I want to hold this hearing. I want to figure out how we can talk about this issue because nobody else is talking about it.

There was a--correct me if I'm wrong here--conscious decision made by some insurers not to insure in Florida after certain hurricane experiences.

It is why a number of insurers have pulled back or sought much higher insurance premiums for properties in those areas, absolutely.

I happen to believe that Dr. Wuebbles's approach to this is a sensible one, that small changes in our lifestyles today can make a dramatic difference in our future.

It's not my part of the world, but I assume this has an impact on the gulf economy?

The Fiscal Commission emphasized that restoring fiscal discipline requires honest budgeting.

the Gulf of Mexico dead zone is a particular concern because it threatens valuable commercial and recreational gulf fisheries, that generate about $2.8 billion annually.

What I see is the flow of the Mississippi River, and all its tributaries into the Gulf of Mexico, and all of those chemicals we pay so much for in Illinois, coming down that river into the Gulf of Mexico.

Heavy rain in the Midwest, water flowing down through the rivers, flooding that it causes on the way down, the damage----

Magnifying these losses in the wrong way.

I will be brief and then yield to my friend from Maryland. I believe we can deal with our debt responsibly. I say that having been through a year and a half working on this issue. I am still not an expert, but I know a lot more about it…

this is a historic week in the Senate. She has spelled out what we face. I guess most people around America are looking at Washington and Capitol Hill and asking if there are any grownups left; can't adults sit down there in both political…

I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The junior Senator from Illinois…

how much time remains in morning business on the Democratic side? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is 13 minutes 40 seconds remaining.

These are the kinds of programs that use limited resources to inspire meaningful improvements. And it's the students who win.

Do we not have an additional obligation when it comes to evaluating these schools?

We can't afford to see taxpayer dollars wasted by sending billions of dollars of Pell Grants to for-profit schools, many of which aren't providing a good return on that investment.

You cannot expect a student or that student's family to know whether a school is worth investing in.

The indebtedness that students are incurring to go to school is holding them back in terms of their own personal ambitions and career goals.

But investing in education and retraining is the best way to ensure our economic recovery now and our economic growth well into the future.

Student loans are different than other debts.