The outreach by NOAA to states and local communities could be extremely important.

I think it's really a clear opportunity to make substantial progress in the short run.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing on the state of our nation's environmental and weather observation infrastructure and satellite systems.

Thank you. Just a follow-up on that question.

I’ve been a long supporter of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, introducing authorizing legislation in each of the last four Congresses.

One of the key components of the JPSS is the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking sensor, SARSAT.

We are at the intersection of the previous satellite program, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, or NPOESS, which operated from 1994 to 2010.

There was a strong partnership between NOAA and the Coast Guard during the Deep Water Horizon oil spill.

Thank you. Can I just make one point?

the private sector should be strategically relied upon to deliver next-generation weather services

What should be the underlying assumption for the budget, then?

There should be no question it is now crucial in order to preserve the continuity of vital data for our long-range weather forecasting climate record.

It served as a model in the development of innovative applications that makes data readily available to decisionmakers in real time for critical uses.

It's been fabulous support from this committee for JPSS, and we are extremely pleased at the conference report.

As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, the concerns of Maine's fishermen are my concerns.

I would like to express my support for provisions contained within the amendment offered by Senator Tester, as they will make critical strides in addressing the reality that far too many of our Nation's veterans are finding it…

I rise to express support for the pending legislation on a critical issue that addresses the burdensome cost of compliance with the Tax Code. H.R. 674 is modeled after bipartisan legislation Senator Brown and I introduced earlier this year…

today I introduce the Small Business Tax Extenders Act of 2011, targeted tax relief legislation to extend, for one year, the essential tax relief provisions that were included in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. When the Small Business…

We commend recent actions led by the U.S. women Senators to support women's human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.

I rise to express support for the Republican leader's legislation on a critical issue that addresses the burdensome cost of compliance with the Tax Code. Senator McConnell's bill is modeled after bipartisan legislation Senator Brown and I…

today I wish to support Senator Vitter's amendment regarding drug importation from Canada. Senator Vitter has been a tremendous partner and tireless advocate in supporting the comprehensive drug importation legislation Senator Stabenow and…

I am pleased to support the permanent change to interstate weight limits for Maine and Vermont, an issue I have worked on for more than 10 years. I could not be more pleased with the inclusion of this commonsense legislation that puts…

Well, why can we not do it in tandem with other committees? Why does the President not work with Congress and get it done?

It is a bit of a shell game.

You could make a fundamental change; the President could, if we work together as a team on the key issues.