these are the thresholds. Eight years from now--the legislation suggests that because of inflation for medical costs that outpaces inflation two to three times, they are saying that 8 years from now, we will not have controlled medical…

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the majority leader for finally bringing this essential legislation to the floor after more than 3 years of extensions and delays. This bipartisan bill is the product of…

I think he certainly gained a perspective of, you know, how the people of Maine, a coastal State, and the fishing community view the Coast Guard with tremendous admiration and appreciation for the work that the Coast Guard does.

In reference to my earlier remarks regarding the budget and this reduction of $340 million over the Fiscal Year 2010.

I want to welcome Admiral Papp before this committee as the next nominee for the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

What we can't afford to do is decommission four and bring on two.

President Obama has chosen in this Fiscal Year to impose a freeze on nonmilitary discretionary spending.

Have you examined the whole question of the acquisition process now that the Coast Guard is going to be assuming it?

So the bottom line is, is that with the increased number of Coast Guard personnel at the various stations... is sufficient to compensate for the loss of these teams?

I rise this evening to speak to the urgent imperative of job creation in our country and impress upon my colleagues that if we are serious about assisting our Nation's small businesses--the very catalysts that will lead us out of the…

Because, obviously, in this instance, that will become even exponentially greater.

I was wondering whether or not there have been any internal changes in both agencies with respect to the merger review process?

I know that in the Department of Justice instance that you have to review this transaction based on substantially lessening competition.

I rise to speak about legislation that I am introducing today, the Deepwater Wind Incentive Act, which will provide a critical long-term renewable production tax credit for developing deepwater wind facilities in the U.S. Deepwater wind…

I find the report stunning, actually.

I think there should be a responsibility in that regard to say, 'This is what we're going to do to help.'

Maybe there should be a requirement in that regard. Any regulation that's going to devastate a fishery, there has to be an associated solution, a mitigation effort.

It is shocking when you consider our mortality rate has not decreased and new treatments and an early detection test are still so desperately needed.

Our fisheries are being devastated, as you well know. I mean, absolutely devastated--barely hanging on because of the Federal regulations.

I find this counterintuitive at best.

I'm not arguing so much for or against the Catch Share as I am arguing about where you're drawing the money from.

I truly am disturbed about the lack of certainty with respect to this type of decision, on which we should have the very best and most accurate information.

I and 14 of my colleagues sent a letter to you and to Fish and Wildlife stating our opposition to listing the tuna.

I would hope, Dr. Lubchenco, that everybody in the legal enforcement, the Law Enforcement Division has the opportunity to read and has read this report, and particularly the complaint examples, because they are deeply disturbing.

There has to be a level of urgency, very aggressive, assertive leadership, and a timetable for which to accomplish it.