one of the keys to the success of the SRFs is the considerable flexibility that States have to decide how funds are used under the varying State-specific circumstances.

Of course, the fact that it is under pressure is one of the reasons why we have so much leakage, which adds to the efficiency issues of our systems.

That would be helpful, if you could get us the specific concerns you have on the reporting requirements.

I hope we would be able to follow up on that point, because I do think the cost effectiveness, particularly to governments of limited capacity, is an issue that we need to be very informed about.

And of course, under the current financing, there is nowhere near that type of capacity to get those types of projects moving?

It is about jobs here in America and we can compete and we need to make sure we do everything we can to have a level playing field.

I want to welcome you all to the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

We do need to get predictable funding.

I rise today to mark International Human Rights Day, a day which celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. In the immediate after math of World War II, and…

I take this time because we are in the last, we hope, few days before we adjourn for the holidays. There are certain pieces of legislation we must get done before we leave town. We call these the must-pass bills that we have to make sure…

I rise to address the human rights issue of deep concern. For 2 years, since December 3, 2009, an American citizen and a Marylander, Alan Gross, has been imprisoned by the Cuban Government. For 2 years, he has been held by the Cuban…

I ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Freeing Alan Gross

Does it not help our allies to know that we want all of our allies to cut off the financing of Iran through its Central Bank in order to be able to avoid a nuclear Iran?

But is our objective not to get them not to deal with the Central Bank of Iran?

I rise in support of the amendment offered by our colleagues, Senators Menendez and Kirk, and I thank them for their leadership on this issue. To me, this is an extremely important amendment that I hope will get the support of all the…

We support the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act and applaud the Committee and you, Senator Carper, for favorably reporting it in December 2011.

in a moment, I am going to be asking unanimous consent that the Senate take up to confirm the nomination of Ken Kopocis to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water for the Environmental Protection Agency. Before I make that…

first, let me thank Senator Levin and Senator McCain with regard to amendment No. 1188, which was my Hotels for Heroes amendment. I am going to be very brief. Hotels for Heroes follows on Hero Miles, a successful program which allows our…

if there is no one else who wishes to offer amendments-- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire. Amendment No. 1120

I am going to yield the floor in just a moment. Let me say to my friend from Wyoming, I am going to do my best to make sure the Senator gets all the information he needs. I wish to make sure every Senator has all the information they need…

I ask unanimous consent that floor privileges be granted to LT Shane Knisley, a Navy fellow serving in my office, during the pendency of S. 1867, the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without…

I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendments be set aside so I may offer my first amendment, No. 1073. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator…

I ask unanimous consent that the amendment now be set aside so I can offer amendment No. 1188. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Maryland…

As to the floor privileges, Mr. President, let me just comment how valuable these Navy fellows are in our offices. I am very grateful for LCDR Knisley's service in my office, and I know Senator Wicker feels the same. LCDR Shane Knisley…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To prohibit expansion or operation of the District of Columbia…