This problem is not being treated with the urgency that it deserves, and a deterrent strategy--because the problem now is the Russians send in this whole operation into our election system, into our states, 21 states that we know of, and…

I mean--I don't believe we're--you're grading on a curve, man. You said it was a B. I think you're giving us too much credit.

All of the patches aren't going to work if we don't have a strategy of deterrence.

They don't have to change votes to win; they just have to sow lack of confidence.

I just worry. I have to say, I just have to worry that there's an overconfidence here in terms of the sophistication of our adversaries.

Where I come from, effort doesn't count.

I just hope it's being done at the highest possible level, because I understand there was a so-called Hackathon last summer where every State or every State that they tried, they managed to penetrate.

Every time I hear that I think: That means none of government. I want to hear who's in charge and what they're going to do about that.

This is, I believe, with the possible exception of North Korea's nuclear weapons, this is the most serious threat that our country faces today and we are not adequately dealing with it.

I want to echo my colleague from Minnesota. We face situations in Maine where people have to choose between medication, heating their home and putting food on the table.

Weatherization is a great way of avoiding expenditures in the future.

The best attack is the one that doesn't occur.

Adversaries have to know they will pay a price for attacking us, whether it's cyber or kinetic.

Sanctions are important, but the question is sanctions always, by definition, occur after the attack.

it seems to me this is an area, it's sort of new territory, if you will, where there has to be a closer relationship between the private sector and government.

I ask unanimous consent that a fellow in my office, Carissa Cyran, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of the session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I rise today to join my colleague from Rhode Island to talk about climate change, but I first want to make a comment about my good friend and an important Member of this body, Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and what he has done. In…

It is the magnitude of the increase.

the critical minerals issue because it is a serious national security issue.

That is true of Maine as well, by the way, Mr. Secretary.

These are resources that belong to the people of the United States. We are taking money out of the pockets of taxpayers.

I have been pressing for three years is an app.

I think it is a creative response. It does not guarantee the funding, but it makes it likely.

Our legislature has opposed it unanimously. Our delegation is unanimously in opposition to it, and the coastal economy of Maine is enormously dependent upon fisheries, lobsters, and visitors throughout the year.

I am just arguing for a similar decision in Maine based upon our circumstances.