The emergency alert and 9-1-1 systems are pivotal links when the unfortunate happens.

Today's hearing is going to examine how we communicate in times of emergency.

The law could raise as much as $7 billion for first responders, help build out the communications system...

At a time when our unemployment rate is still much too high, the Affordable Care Act is making it harder for our nation's employers to hire new workers.

We know from our past work, as well as from the recent and very troubling security failures at Y-12, that management reform is necessary to ensure safe and secure operations.

We know, though, from past experience and the Y-12 breach that strong and consistent federal management, bolstered by truly independent oversight, is necessary.

Safety and performance go hand-in-hand. This is the lesson we've learned from the civilian nuclear industry.

Today's hearing represents another important step in this committee's ongoing oversight to ensure that the Department of Energy's management of nuclear security enterprise can successfully protect taxpayer dollars.

Uncertainty stemming from the health care law is a leading concern for American businesses large and small.

The law is hurting our Nation's economy, and those Americans are trying to find work.

Millions of Americans are still struggling to find jobs, and is this committee's main priority to get them back to work.

We have many important issues on the docket for this year.

Certainly, tonight I stand in support of this legislation, H.R. 307, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013. This legislation is going to help our Nation's families, local communities, first responders, and…

We are going to do our part.

However, when the NRC made the determination to move Palisades back into column 1, the agency did so begrudgingly, I believe, and qualified the rating.

I would like to echo the disappointment expressed by Chairman Shimkus regarding the NRC's response to our January letter.

Entergy needed to do better, and they outlined their comprehensive and methodical plans for returning Palisades to the high level of safety that all plants should have.

This sends a mixed message to the community--does Palisades belong in Column 1 or not.

I would like some clarification on that.

the response came off as dismissive, even contradicting the Japanese Diet report's own conclusion.

I appreciate your leadership, and I just want to extend an invitation.

Certainly, oversight of federal agencies is a very important responsibility for this committee, especially for the NRC.

Energy efficiency is not only a bipartisan issue, but as your presence here today demonstrates, there is bicameral interest as well.

Most agree that for policy decisions to be fair, they have to be made at the appropriate level of government.

Effective regulatory management of resource development is crucial. Excess restrictions cost jobs and revenue, but inadequate oversight and regulation could turn a State's residents against resource development.