They expect that when they breathe the air, that the air will be safe.

They expect that when their children are swimming in a lake, that it is safe for them to be in that lake swimming.

People want to make sure that, when they turn on their tap at home, the water that they get is safe for them to drink.

I repeat our thanks for your patience and your willingness to put your names forward to serve our Country in a very important agency, the Environmental Protection Agency.

I think this Administration is trying to move in that direction to give some predictability to the laws.

I thank the two Marylanders that are here. Nothing against Oregon, but we do take care of our own State's people first.

If approved by this committee and confirmed by the Senate, it is my intent to work with all toward achieving that objective for this and future generations.

I would hope that we would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out its responsibility.

On navigable waters, put me down for the Senator who believes that traditional understanding is what should be done.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Department of Homeland…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on July 17, 2013, at 1 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``From…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013 at 10 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Foreign Relations

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013, at 10 a.m. in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Health…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The Committee will…

I have listened very carefully to my friend from Iowa, and I couldn't disagree with him more. I know he has very strong views about the nomination of Tom Perez, but let me go through the record. I wish to spend a little bit of time…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on July 17…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Seapower of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Homeland Security…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013, at 10 a.m., to conduct…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Reauthorization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,'' during the session of the Senate on July 17…

If you do not respect our environment, you cannot grow the economy.

Rising sea level is creating a security problem for us as we are losing more and more of our shoreline.

It is time that we get serious with three key responses to the climate threat.

These extreme weather events and increased temperatures are not theoretical. They are happening to us right now.

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 17, 2013 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…