Let me begin where you began, because it is very troubling to many of us in the Senate and House who have been following story after story about the sexual assaults happening within the Department of Defense (DOD).

How much is in the whole capital budget for this year?

I don't see how you can possibly replace your old and unreliable fleet within this budget.

I just do not understand why this administration's budget seemingly is preparing in just the most modest way for the building of a new icebreaker.

We hold the men and women of the Coast Guard in the highest regard on this subcommittee.

I think it is important for us, when we ask people to serve, to be able to give them not luxury but something very comfortable and safe in some of these areas.

The budget request includes a reduction of 850 military billets; moves 1,000 reservists to inactive status; reduces capital expenditures by 38 percent.

I want to tell the members of our subcommittee to think about the possibility of building an icebreaker.

I am committed to doing what I can to make sure that you and the Coast Guard have the resources you need to carry out the missions we have asked you to do.

This capital investment request the President submitted for the Coast Guard is, no pun intended, a sea change from the $2.5 billion.

the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will meet on May 16, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in room 428A Russell Senate Office building to hold a roundtable entitled ``The Impact of Mandatory E-Verify on America's Small Businesses.''…

The Coast Guard reported 141 incidents of sexual assaults in 2012. The number was up from 83 in 2011 and 75 in 2010.

What is not clear is how many assaults in the Coast Guard go unreported, which unfortunately may happen due to the fears and consequences of coming forward.

We are spending an awful lot of time up here talking about securing our land borders between Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas, et cetera.

We can't have everything we want, but $2.5 billion to maintain the fleet, to accomplish or at least try to meet the targets in the mission, is far different than $950 million.

On the fast response cutters, we are very proud that they are built in Louisiana.

I don't see how we can possibly replace the unreliable fleet that we have.

These are priorities for our Nation. That's what the Senators of both parties tell me they want.

I am very disappointed in the President's 2014 budget request for the Coast Guard.

The request essentially overwrites the congressional direction that we gave in 2012 and 2013.

The $1 billion Capital Investment Plan is, in my view, wholly inadequate to replace the old and unreliable assets of the Coast Guard.

I believe the top line given to the Coast Guard in the administration's budget request is wholly inadequate.

I have been there, and thank you for your hospitality.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ______ EXECUTIVE SESSION ______ NOMINATION OF SHELLY DECKERT DICK TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR…

If there is objection, I can talk about the amendment now. I will talk about the amendment now and then attempt to call up the amendment later in the day. I thank the Chair. Mr. President, the amendment I am trying to get pending for the…