David Vitter

You are going to shut it down.

While we certainly welcome that investment in our State and all of the jobs it means, of course we must ensure that all of these facilities are absolutely as safe as possible for the workers and for the local communities.

One concern I have whenever something horrible like this happens is that it is used and abused, quite frankly, to advance some preexisting agenda that does not really relate to whatever happened.

Thank you all, again, for your work and your testimony.

If there is any good news about the two incidents there it is that the response after the horrible accidents seemed to go very well, be very, very well coordinated.

I see no reason why we cannot talk about it in public.

It is imperative that they are thoroughly and expeditiously investigated so we can all understand their causes and ensure that future incidents are prevented.

Thank you, Chairman Boxer, for convening this important hearing today.

Related to that unanimous consent agreement, I wish to make a budget point of order, which I will do in just a second. But I also ask unanimous consent that after I make the point of order and after the Senator from Vermont moves to waive…

We have talked about this since 1996 and 9/11 happened. When are we going to do it if not now? I urge support of the amendment.

I further ask unanimous consent to bring on to the floor and display a box of home keys, which I will explain in a moment. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Any decision made on the issue should be based only on sound science and objective facts.

If the law does not prohibit the release of those conclusions, will you release them in the spirit of transparency?

I am very excited to have this hearing.

Four questions, 4 weeks, but they have been answered apparently.

The NRC plays an important role in promoting and maintaining the safety standards of nuclear reactors across the U.S. which makes the U.S. fleet the safest in the world.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thanks for a fair and open process. That is all we ask for.

But the court decision would represent the law and you would follow it?

Safety, of course, is the priority for members of this Committee as it is for members of your body.

We are coming together on an EPA-related issue and doing something that is very important for health and safety.

Nutrient trading has the potential to provide point sources with the flexibility needed to achieve water quality goals.

Regulators should not impose rigorous standards at the outset that would discourage or inhibit States.

There has been a real attack on ag producers by the EPA in many regards.

We need to make sure that we fully understand the risks and rewards before moving forward.

I thank the chairman for her assistance with this provision. Harbor Maintenance Taxes