there has been a lively debate on the floor concerning our 2011 budget. Now we are starting to talk about the 2012 budget. I think it is important to point out what I hope is the obvious, which is that the budget of our Nation represents…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 13, 2011, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Perspectives on Deficit…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 13, 2011, at 2 p.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``International Development Policy Priorities in the FY 2012…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 13, 2011, at 11 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 13, 2011, at 3 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Judicial…

They're part of what we call our 'three-D strategies'--the development assistance, defense, and diplomacy.

U.S. global development and U.S. foreign aid are critically important to our national security concerns.

I think it's time, and I'm--Afghanistan, I hope everything works well.

There is an expectation that our participation in any country depends upon that country's commitment to root out corruption.

What assurances can you give us that, in making that judgment, you will comply not just with the spirit, but the letter, of what we're trying to accomplish?

I say that as a friend of your agency, but one who's going to be looking very carefully at the basis of your certifications, as it relates to fighting corruption and gender equity.

What is, I think, surprising to most Americans is the amount of money America spends on its foreign assistance.

One of our more significant commitments is in Afghanistan.

I would just urge you to work very closely with this committee and the subcommittees of geographical interest.

We want to be able to tap into the natural gas reserves in this Nation.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and a host of other groups have petitioned the Obama administration to conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement.

It is my understanding there are still seven wastewater treatment facility plants taking today the fluids coming out of fracking.

The wastewater resulting from gas drilling operations contained material that may present a threat to human health and aquatic environments.

I hope that you will respond to the urgency of some of these issues.

Let's keep the states in charge of hydraulic fracturing, for the benefit of consumers, jobs, economic growth and expansion, and our Nation's energy security.

I think that is the right way to proceed and I am curious as to why Pennsylvania and other States are still allowing the back-flow to enter treatment facility plants.

There needs to be pretty definitive action by EPA so that we can avoid this public health risk.

Without objection, it will be included in the record.

According to our information, I think there is somewhere around 19 States that are using diesel as part of their injection process.

You need to take action.