Senator Gardner and I are very concerned about the use or threat of military force to address territorial and regional disputes in the China seas.

I will continue to try here, and I thank the Senate majority leader for his patience. This is really not a matter of fairness to the President but fairness to the American people. As my colleague Senator Hirono pointed out, this is a…

I want to make one further request in the series with Senator Hirono and Senator Schumer, and that is to deal with the next nominee who would be up, considering the length of time she has been on the calendar. It is the nomination of Paula…

I just want to share in the frustration of my colleague from Wyoming. This should not be a partisan issue. I agree, it is wrong to hold people's lives in abeyance. We are trying to get the very best people to serve on our courts. If they…

We believe, give clear direction on the U.S. policies, as has been articulated by this administration and previous administrations.

I support the ratification of the Law of the Sea. I think it is unlikely we are going to get that in this Congress.

It is critically important we get this relationship right in the rebalance to Asia.

I think this committee needs to be in the leadership on tax reform.

We understand that it is unlikely in the next month or two that we are going to pass a major tax reform proposal, and we want to make progress where we can make progress.

We are seeing an increase in the number of political prisoners in that country and their oppression against those who differ with the government.

Making a fundamental shift to consumption-oriented taxation is a major change that may not necessarily be undertaken in the near term.

The fundamental points that you all are raising, which are high tax rates on business, which are not competitive; the lack of simplification, so you need to have an accountant on your fast dial in order to get information because you just…

It is important to look at a broad spectrum and keep all businesses competitive.

I want to thank the panel. I found this extremely helpful.

We use a credit method, not a subtraction method, which is, as you know, a difference.

It is clear with the information that we have received the type of conduct that they perpetrated in Russia...

I introduced the Progressive Consumption Tax that would replace some of our income tax with a national consumption tax.

a consumption tax is unlikely to be adopted in the near term.

I also want to join you in thanking Senator Hatch and Senator Wyden for their leadership in convening this hearing.

today I recognize the tragic death of a Marylander. John E. Ulmschneider of the Prince George's Fire/EMS Department was killed in the line of duty on Friday, April 15, 2016. John Ulmschneider is survived by his wife and daughter. He was…

I would hope that the administration will keep a bright spotlight on this tragic death.

I am not interested in getting rid of the Senate Finance Committee.

If we were able to substitute part of our income tax revenues with a national consumption tax that would be at least as progressive as our current tax code so that middle-income families are not going to be more burdened.

I want to thank my friend from Minnesota, Senator Franken, for his comments concerning an important day tomorrow. It is important for many reasons. We have worked a long time to get the global community engaged on climate change. As…

I understand that shortly we are going to be voting on the Hoeven amendment. The Hoeven amendment would prevent the clean water rule from going into effect. In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act in response to what was happening…