Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for joining us this morning.

I would actually like to see a five-year extension because by the time you do it and people know about it, half the year is over.

She has served as a steady hand of this ship now for several years.

But I have to remind you that the fundamental tenant of multiple use also includes the development of our natural resources.

I am concerned, Chief, that the vision that the Administration offers in this budget proposal for forest management looks more like one that I would expect to be proposed by the National Park Service than by a multiple use agency with vast…

This budget proposal instead proposes a timber target for FY'14 of 2.38 billion board feet. This is a 15 percent reduction from FY'13 of 2.8 billion board feet.

This is only for veterans clinics, and I ask for a voice vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.

I move to reconsider the vote, and I lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 314 The PRESIDING OFFICER. There are now 2 minutes equally divided prior to a vote on amendment No. 314 offered…

I am proud to offer this amendment on behalf of myself, Senator Chambliss, Senator Vitter, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Isakson, Senator Murphy, and Senator Udall of New Mexico that will fix a problem in the way CBO is scoring the leasing…

I am happy to tell our colleagues we have also worked this out and can take this by voice vote. I appreciate the cooperation of the Senator from Oklahoma. We have no objection to providing the reports to the committee which he has…

Thank you, Senator Landrieu, for your leadership that cut red tape and gave us new flexibility to build back stronger.

I think there are others that we could continue to work on to improve the CDBG program for these cases.

So this issue really is about looking at that 13 billion and figuring out a way to better allocate it for the communities that actually produce it.

So you might want to take this message back and let them know that I'm looking forward to working to find a way forward for PILT and for Rural Schools and fire.

It's pretty bleak. I mean, we're losing a football field every 30 minutes. It's the largest erosion underway on the whole continent including, you know, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

But I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and the ranking member for hosting a series of hearings that might find a really, a long term solution for the problems that both interior States, western States and coastal States are experiencing.

Because I think both of you expressed the real need of communities where Federal policies have severely impacted their abilities to produce their own revenues and the need for some sort of partnership and sharing to produce the natural…

Yes, but what about the coastal States that are producing the 6.3 billion that comes into the Federal Treasury. I think we've been doing that since when? 1923?

I do not know if you missed that debate.

I am such a strong believer in this particular program--because I have seen it with my own eyes literally save businesses in Louisiana.

I am a little bit confused.

I am not in so that big banks can fail and the taxpayers have to pick up the tab again.

There is actually some possibility of actually changing something.

the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will meet on March 14, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in room 432 Russell Senate Office building to hold a roundtable discussion entitled ``Helping Small Businesses Weather Economic Challenges &…

I have made a promise to my citizens never to forget Katrina or Rita or Isaac or Ike or Gustav.