As Senator Collins pointed out, suspension and debarment now apply governmentwide and it is one of the improvements over these past 30 years that we do have the Excluded Party List System that Senator Collins had a role in promoting.

But that is something I hope we can look a little more into.

I am trying to figure out why the department is the laggard in this area.

Thank you so much for holding this hearing. It is a very long-held interest of mine...

Its purpose is to protect the taxpayer. It is to protect government.

If you have any suggestions for us on how we can do a better job of preventing that from happening--it sounds like you are on the alert for it and because you follow up aggressively with the Justice Department and with a longer debarment…

I look forward to your recommendations on how we might do so.

You are not fulfilling the mission of the office.

I want to be very clear on this point.

We convene today to consider the nomination of Roslyn Mazer to become the next Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.

Quantity has a quality all of its own.

I do not see quality and quantity as being enemies.

I personally think that is a legitimate argument.

I promised him that I would bring it to the highest levels.

Are you concerned that we are jeopardizing the security gains?

maybe we should look at where we are buying these parts and reconsider the manufacturing of those parts in the United States.

I have to say that makes no sense to me whatsoever because they are redacting information that would allow the manufacturer to assess whether the chip is legitimate or not.

Thank you and the ranking member for conducting such an in-depth investigation into such an important problem.

I rise today to join Senator Mikulski in submitting a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. In March of 2012, the Girl Scouts of America will celebrate a century as the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely…

disasters have affected nearly every State this year, and several States were hit particularly hard with devastating tornadoes and historic flooding. CDBG disaster recovery funding is an important tool that has helped States and…

only $6 million is provided for this program, but it makes a big difference for small rural communities that are struggling to provide air service. Air service is so important to jobs and economic development in these regions. It is…

at some point during consideration of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations bill, I expect there may be a motion to recommit the bill to the Appropriations Committee. Therefore, I want to…

Senator Sessions is on his way to the floor. He does have reservations about the nominee. I think it would be courteous, since we know he is on his way, to delay just for a couple of moments so he could make his comments. The PRESIDING…

I understand this amendment has been cleared on both sides, and I ask for its adoption. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 804) was…

I thank again the managers of the bill and the two Senators from Idaho for their help in this matter. I also ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Wisconsin, Senator Kohl, be added as a very prominent cosponsor of this amendment. The…