Ben Cardin

If you reward private companies that can come up with ways to produce energy with emitting less carbon, that is a win.

The scientific information on global climate change has been remarkably consistent.

I want to thank Chairman Boxer for her work in keeping the focus on sound science as this debate continues.

We have technology changing all the time, and with the use of the communications through the Internet, competition is not what it was when these laws were developed.

I represent rural areas in Maryland, and they do have this issue, but it has not been a dominant issue.

I really came to this hearing to try to learn more about this issue.

Chairman Leahy apologizes for not personally being here today.

I would urge you all to please respond to those questions as quickly as possible.

Thank you, Senator Kaufman.

Without objection, they will be made part of the record.

I would also hope that there would be some transparency in making those judgments so that there is an opportunity for input and challenge if it is a fundamental issue.

I very much support your statement of aggressively enforcing the laws of our country regardless of your personal views.

The premier agency for the people of this country in protecting the rule of law, representing the people of this Nation, and holding anyone who violates our laws accountable, even if it is the President of the United States.

I want to make sure the Solicitor General is going to be sensitive to the role that you can play in making sure that the appropriate protections are maintained within our Constitution.

I want to know what priority you intend to place on the Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice.

Dean Kagan will bring distinction to the office, continue its highest traditions, be a forceful advocate for the United States before the Supreme Court.

So we expect that message to be very clear to all the people in the Department of Justice as to restoring the confidence that partisan politics will not play a role in the deployment of career personnel.

Partisan politics played within the Department of Justice as it relates to the retirement and promotion of career attorneys.

These are very important positions, and as Senator Whitehouse said, it is going to be long days.

If confirmed, I believe General Kagan will be an outstanding Solicitor General.

There are things that we can do as far as the statutes are concerned, and we look forward to your recommendations in that regard.

I would just urge you to take a very active role in that regard, and I thank you for your response.

The Constitution is not only loved and respected, it is the basis of the rule of law of our country.

We do have a justice integrity bill which Senator Specter and I have filed that will allow for ten pilot programs to work within each of the U.S. Attorneys.

I also want to thank all of you for being willing to serve your country.