They do work extraordinarily well together and they're truly a model for how the Senate should work.

this change of course in the investment in the safety, security, and reliability of our nuclear stockpile raises doubts and concerns about the administration's commitments.

Unfortunately, however, that seems out of fashion today.

I urge the Committee to act expeditiously on Mr. Kayatta's nomination in order to avoid a real problem for the first circuit in handling its caseload.

It seems to me that would accomplish the goal of either forcing the Budget Committee and the leadership to act.

I urge the Committee to act as quickly as possible on the nomination and to move it forward to the Senate floor, for he deserves overwhelming bipartisan support.

Although we still want to attract large manufacturers, we also need to recognize that our economy is increasingly reliant on small businesses and start-ups.

let me just explain very briefly. I was told that the amendment had been modified to accommodate concerns I have raised, and then the amendment was not so modified. So I wanted to put in that explanation to explain why the error was made…

I call up my amendment numbered 1660, which is at the desk, and ask that it be reported. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Maine [Ms. Collins], for herself, Mr. Alexander…

this is a very modest bipartisan amendment. It simply gives the EPA more time to get these regulations right, and our struggling manufacturers will get more time to comply with them. It is a false choice to say that this is the environment…

I rise today to offer amendment No. 1660, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act, to the highway reauthorization bill. I am very pleased to have Senator Alexander, Senator Pryor, Senator Toomey, Senator Landrieu, and Senator McCaskill joining me as…

on rollcall vote No. 28, I voted aye. It was my intention to vote no. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to change my vote since it will not affect the outcome. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so…

Maine's groundfish industry is facing a great deal of uncertainty as it continues to move to a new management system.

I am uncomfortable with the decision to cancel the MECV design competition because it will increase the risk to our air assault soldiers.

I apologize for being late. The Armed Services Committee is having a hearing with Secretary Panetta on Syria, even as we are meeting today.

we need to sustain an absolute minimum procurement rate of two large surface combatants per year.

Last year, your strategy to introduce competition into the DDG-51 program earlier than planned reaped significant savings for the taxpayer, and I applaud you for that effort.

I am concerned particularly, and I realize my time has expired, but particularly with the focus on the Asian Pacific, that we are not going to have enough ships to really do the job.

I think it would be a huge mistake for us to wait until the lame duck, that's too late, and we do need to tackle that issue now.

I'm very concerned that the ship building account is significantly undervalued.

It's absolutely critical that we set standards for critical infrastructure, and that that has such important consequences.

I think it would be helpful for the record, in light of the department's commitment to maintaining combat capability in anti-access/area denial environments, if you would comment on the combat capabilities that you expect these three…

The Navy estimates that it could save up to $1.5 billion by exercising multiyear procurement authority for the DDG-51 program during the next 5 years for a nine ship buy over that period.

your strategy to introduce competition into the restart of the DDG-51 program earlier than planned reaps some significant savings for the taxpayer, and I applaud you for that effort.

this was very frustrating to me. I asked a key question, and I could not get a straight answer. It also demonstrates many of the problems associated with employer mandates. I believe the sponsor of this amendment is completely sincere. I…