I rise to associate myself with the comments from the senior Senator from Maine on this amendment. I consider it virtually a technical amendment. It simply changes the implementation date under the bill so that companies will have adequate…

I rise today with some humility because I rise in the footsteps of one of Maine's greatest Senators, Olympia Snowe. I am fortunate enough to succeed her in this seat. In the midst of the campaign a year or so ago, I also realized I was not…

I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for 20 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. National Challenges

Does political pressure in a country like Iran mean anything?

It seems to me the problem with sanctions against countries that are essentially autocratic is that the sanctions affect everybody in the street and they don't necessarily affect the decisionmaker.

the sequester itself is the most serious security risk this country faces right now?

We won't know what we've missed until something blows up.

Aegis is part of the long-term strategy, I presume?

I completely agree with that statement.

There is a lot of discussion around here about these budget cuts. They are real.

You are essentially saying this is a contract that we are making with somebody when they sign up.

The sequester, which many think is a 1-year deal, is not. It is in the law for 10 years.

I'm just trying to think like the enemy here.

It's important to realize, however, that the sequester is a 10-year deal.

Aegis is a big part of our regional defense posture today in Europe and over near Japan.

I would like to see what somebody is given when they sign up.

I was at a full committee hearing on the issue of Syria with Secretary Hagel and General Dempsey.

The reason I ask that question is that we hear about tests that don't work, and yet on the other hand I hear we can protect the Homeland.

The cuts that are coming, unless we can unwind that in some way, are drastic.

Would a continuation of the sequester for 1, 2, 3, or 4 more years compromise, significantly compromise, your ability through this program to defend the Homeland?

I mean, that is a very tough question. Would we have intervened in Germany in 1938 if we had known precisely what was going on?

I think the Taliban are going to wake up at some point and they are going to realize this is not their father's ANSF.

The quality and character of the leadership is a crucial element to any enterprise success.

I believe that virtually the entire Federal budget deficit problem on an ongoing basis is health care.

I guess I would fall back on President Reagan: Trust, but verify.