Collectively, you bring a diverse set of perspectives, but a common goal of developing a first-class, comprehensive transportation network.

We are not sending transportation money to local Catholic churches.

I ask unanimous consent to be recognized for up to 10 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Unanimous consent Request--H.R. 3521

This money is not just for this area of activity, but these projects?

I come to the floor again to try to move forward on a bill with near unanimous support. In fact, with regard to the actual substance of the bill, within the four corners of the bill, it has unanimous support because it would advance 27…

We cannot in this day wait on the Federal and State government to be the solve all, end all.

Were you concerned to act until the White House looked into it and made sure there would not be any political fallout?

The Obama EPA has embraced the strategies of this playbook and pursued ideologically driven agendas in much the same way as Beale did in the 1990s.

He was allowed to retire, right?

It is clear that the EPA is broken.

EPA's continued use of the playbook has led to dire consequences for Americans.

That the Obama EPA can get away with this kind of distortion proves the Agency, in my opinion, is out of control.

We in the Senate are charged with stewarding this Nation, which includes watching out for those who are most vulnerable.

These examples of waste and abuse make congressional oversight absolutely critical.

But you knew the bonus was illegal and it went on for 2 years.

This is a very important oversight hearing about EPA's budget and overall what is going on at EPA, its management practices, how it is being run.

What we should be discussing is what are the best ways to manage our air and water while trying to get our economy moving again.

I call up my amendment No. 2845 and ask that it be modified with the changes at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the pending amendment is set aside. The clerk will report the amendment, as modified. The assistant…

I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To require the Secretary (acting through the Assistant Secretary…

I will briefly summarize this amendment, but I first want to thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee for working through this amendment and agreeing to what I think will be a quick consideration and adoption by voice vote…

on behalf of 43 Members of the Senate, I object based on substantive disagreements about this very broad-based bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

I think it is really regrettable. The Senator from Vermont and I can talk about the substance. I will be happy to talk about the substance of his big bill. But the bottom line is that 43 Members of the Senate disagree with him about…

I rise to again advocate that we move forward, we come together across the aisle as Democrats and Republicans to agree on what we do agree on and to do some things constructively-- specifically, to help veterans across our country. There…

Yes, it is absolutely critical for Louisiana veterans as well that both of the clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles are authorized and finally built. To clarify, both of the Louisiana clinics are not new projects. They would actually be…

I find that very regretful. Of course I will continue to work with the Senator from Vermont. Of course I will continue to work on that larger package, which I have been actively involved in for some time. I will continue that. But…