the Collins-Levin energy independence amendment will help set us on a path toward energy independence and provide a more sensible energy tax policy. The Collins-Levin energy independence amendment to the budget resolution specifies that…

there has been an alarming increase in the diagnosis of autism in this country. Back in the 1980s, it was 1 in 2,500 children. As the Senator from Connecticut has indicated, the current statistics are 1 in 150. That means that some 1.5…

the University of Maine is doing exciting work in this area. In addition and finally, our proposal would provide a tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles. That, too, would help reduce our reliance on foreign oil. This amendment takes a…

This has been a very long, hard, cold, and snowy winter in the State of Maine. As I have visited communities across the State, I hear time and again that the high cost of energy is imposing such a burden on our citizens. My hometown of…

I rise in support of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2008. I applaud the leadership of Senators Pryor, Stevens, and Inouye in this effort to strengthen protection for America's consumers, especially our children. It…

I rise to speak on the Red Cross and its campaign to encourage citizen preparedness for disasters. For 65 years, since the first proclamation by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Presidents of the United States have designated March as Red Cross…

I wish to discuss funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP. LIHEAP is a Federal grant program that provides vital funding to help low-income and elderly citizens meet their home energy needs. Due…

The department must pick up the pace of its progress.

This all-night debate has no impact on me whatsoever. It's clearly not an opportunity for a serious debate. We don't have to stay in all night to have a serious debate on Iraq. We can do that in the daylight hours just fine. All this is…

What many of us are looking for is a new strategy that would not be a precipitous pullout, with all the problems that that would cause.

In drafting Section 550, the intent of Congress was clear and unambiguous--this statutory provision provides the Department strong, interim authority for up to three years until permanent, comprehensive authority can be enacted.

I have great confidence in you personally and I hope that you succeed.

I believe industry consolidation through mergers or acquisitions can limit the number of competitors and thus the opportunity for competition.

If you are confirmed, will you continue to advocate for a 313-ship fleet?

Do not try to do too much with your own hands.

Are we not asking too much of our National Guard?

I hope to increase awareness and improve care for TBI, PTSD, and other psychological effects of war.

General, the American people are not divided in support of our troops.

I am concerned about consolidation trends which have had an adverse impact on competition opportunities for the DOD.

I hope that Hurricane Katrina has illustrated to you the risks that a one-shipyard acquisition strategy would have entailed.

I think it is simply wrong for us to send troops into harm's way without fully equipping them.

I was pleased for your assurances that this is a high priority for you and that you have already in fact issued a directive to ensure that the troops do not go if they are not equipped.

You have said many times that you do not want to send one more American soldier to Iraq than is necessary to perform the mission.

I want to follow up on the line of questioning that some of our members have already raised with you.

Should we also be looking at improving the benefits for National Guard and reservists?