One of the issues that GAO raised in their recommendations the Coast Guard has developed baselines for some assets, and these indicate the estimated total acquisition program cost could be as much as $29.3 billion, about $5 billion over…

Well, it seems to me that that would be a critical function that should be ongoing within NOAA.

Congress must have a clear picture of the risks involved in various acquisition strategies and programs.

Yes. I think it is crucial. We will have to address it.

I know that in Maine just 2 years ago in Cobscook Bay these teams were charting the coastline which is so significant to maritime commerce and the Coast Guard's work obviously, and really is an important navigational service.

Is there a plan to revise the project baseline for the OPC, as Coast Guard has done for the National Security Cutter?

It is incumbent upon Congress to ensure that the assets that they rely on to carry out their work and return them to shore safely are equal to the task.

We must ask whether this request is adequate to meet the increasingly complex needs of our nation's homeland security, marine safety, and environmental response.

I think that is serious.

It just seems to me it is a crucial obligation of NOAA to provide that service.

I am looking over the budget request, and one of my concerns which I mentioned in my statement was the trend within the budget to eliminate or to reduce substantially many of these competitive grant programs.

I just want to understand what is the status of this requirement.

I would just hope that there would not be a mandate or requirement on this question without a great deal of input from the industry regarding other alternatives rather than requiring onboard observers.

I understand exactly what the problem is.

I rise today to introduce valuable, bipartisan legislation that would codify the current policy of the Social Security Administration, SSA, to protect access to the Supplemental Security Income, SSI, program for those who prepay burial and…

By all accounts, this is the worst post-recession recovery in the history of our country.

My biggest concern is that we have not created an environment of confidence, as represented in this budget here today.

It is not only the concerns about the facts today that are eroding the confidence of the private sector to invest.

We have already increased the national debt by 44, 45 percent under this administration.

We are going on to the fourth consecutive year of historic annual deficits.

I rise today to pay tribute to the retiring Parliamentarian of the Senate, Alan Frumin, who has for the past two decades faithfully and honorably served this institution and who will, beginning tomorrow, embark upon a new chapter in his…

I rise to introduce along with Senator Landrieu the Small Business Tax Extenders Act of 2012, that will provide targeted tax relief legislation to small businesses and extend the essential tax relief provisions that were included in the…

We need to have that strong relationship with Pakistan.

And obviously it's deeply troubling in terms of the direction that they're taking.

Iran has issued various threats with respect to the Strait of Hormuz.